Q. 9.8 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

$NaOH$ is a strong electrolyte, and $C{H}_{3}OH$ is a nonelectrolyte. How is the solution of $NaOH$ different from that of $C{H}_{3}OH$ ?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

$NaOH$ is a strong electrolyte that is completely separates as ions if it is dissolved in water.

$C{H}_{3}OH$ is a non-electrolyte that is partially ionized into water.

Step1: Introduction.

Nonelectrolytes are substances which do not generate ions once dissolved. A material is considered as a great electrolyte if indeed the physical or chemical process that creates the ions is largely completely efficient (all of the dissolved chemical yields ions).

Step2: Given Information.

$NaOH$ is a strong electrolyte and $C{H}_{3}OH$ is a non-electrolyte.

To find out the difference between both of these electrolytes.

Step3: Explanation.

$NaOH$ is an example of a great electrolyte that totally segregates into its ions because once dissolved in water, whereas $C{H}_{3}OH$ is an illustration of a weak electrolyte that partially ionized particles in water. Thereby, in $NaOH$ solutions, only the ions $N{a}^{+}$ and $O{H}^{-}$ are present, although in $C{H}_{3}OH$ solutions, this same ions $C{H}_3{O}^{-}$ and $H^{+}$, and also dissolved $C{H}_{3}OH$ molecules, are present.

$\mathrm{NaOH}\left(s\right)\underset{\text{ Dissociation }}{\stackrel{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}}{⟶}}{\mathrm{Na}}^{+}\left(aq\right)+{\mathrm{OH}}^{-}\left(aq\right)$