Which statement distinguish strong electrolytes from weak electrolytes?

Which statement distinguish strong electrolytes from weak electrolytes?

• A. Strong electrolytes do not dissociate in water; weak electrolytes dissociate completely.
• B. Strong electrolytes dissociate completely in water; weak electrolytes dissociate partially.
• C. Both types dissociate completely.
• D. Weak electrolytes do not dissolve in water.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is how completely a substance ionizes when it dissolves in water. Strong electrolytes dissociate fully in solution, so nearly every dissolved molecule becomes ions. This yields a solution with a lot of charge carriers and high conductivity. Weak electrolytes, on the other hand, only partially dissociate; they establish an equilibrium between the dissociated ions and the remaining undissociated molecules, so the solution has fewer ions and lower conductivity. The other statements mix up dissociation with solubility or with complete dissociation for both types, which isn’t correct. For example, a substance can dissolve yet not dissociate completely (weak electrolytes), and some dissolve and dissociate completely (strong electrolytes).

The key idea is how completely a substance ionizes when it dissolves in water. Strong electrolytes dissociate fully in solution, so nearly every dissolved molecule becomes ions. This yields a solution with a lot of charge carriers and high conductivity. Weak electrolytes, on the other hand, only partially dissociate; they establish an equilibrium between the dissociated ions and the remaining undissociated molecules, so the solution has fewer ions and lower conductivity. The other statements mix up dissociation with solubility or with complete dissociation for both types, which isn’t correct. For example, a substance can dissolve yet not dissociate completely (weak electrolytes), and some dissolve and dissociate completely (strong electrolytes).