Q. 9.12 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

Indicate whether aqueous solutions of each of the following solutes contain only ions, only molecules, or mostly molecules and a few ions:

a. $N{H}_{4}Cl$, a strong electrolyte.

b. ethanol, $C_2{H}_{6}O$, a nonelectrolyte.

c. $HCN$, hydrocyanic acid, a weak electrolyte.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

(parta) The aqueous solution of $N{H}_{4}Cl$ contains only ions.

(part b) The aqueous solution of $C_2{H}_{6}O$ contains only molecules.

(part c) The aqueous solution of Hydrocyanic acid $\left(HCN\right)$ contains mostly molecules and a few ions.

Step1: Introduction (part a)

One or more particles make up a molecule. If those who comprise and over one particle, the atoms can be identical or dissimilar (a water molecule has two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom). Any particle or group of atoms with one or more positively or negatively electrical charges is referred to as an ion.

Step2: Find the aqueous solutions contains molecules or ions (part a).

Given:

$N{H}_{4}Cl$, a strong electrolyte.

The $N{H}_{4}Cl$ solution is a strong electrolyte. Aqueous $N{H}_{4}Cl$ solutions are mixed only $N{H_4}^{+}$ and $C{l}^{-}$ ions. As just a byproduct, a solubility of $N{H}_{4}Cl$ will only comprise ions.

Step3: Find the aqueous solutions contains molecules or ions (part b).

Given:

Ethanol, $C_2{H}_{6}O$, a non electrolyte.

Ethanol, $C_2{H}_{6}O$ is a nonelectrolyte solution. $C_2{H}_{6}O$ aqueous sample containing only molecules. As just a result, a solubility of $C_2{H}_{6}O$ will only contain molecules.

Step4: Find the aqueous solutions contains molecules or ions (part c).

Given:

$\left(HCN\right)$, Hydrocyanic acid, a non-electrolyte.

$HCN$, or hydrocyanic aid, is a nonelectrolyte. Aqueous $HCN$ solutions are mixed largely $HCN$ molecules and a few $H^{+}$ and $C{N}^{-}$ ions. Therefore, an aqueous solution of $HCN$ will be mostly molecules with a few ions.