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Chapter 15: Problem 55

Characterize the following as electrolytes or nonelectrolytes: (a) Calcium bromide, \(\mathrm{CaBr}_{2}\) (b) Bromine, \(\mathrm{Br}_{2}\) (c) Hydrogen, \(\mathrm{H}_{2}\)

Short Answer

Expert verified
(a) Calcium bromide, \(\mathrm{CaBr}_{2}\): Electrolyte (b) Bromine, \(\mathrm{Br}_{2}\): Non-electrolyte (c) Hydrogen, \(\mathrm{H}_{2}\): Non-electrolyte

Step by step solution

01

Identify the properties of electrolytes and non-electrolytes

Electrolytes are substances that, when dissolved in a polar solvent, dissociate into charged particles or ions which conduct electricity. Examples of such substances are ionic compounds (composed of metal and non-metal) and some polar covalent compounds (like acids). Non-electrolytes are substances that do not dissociate into ions when dissolved in a polar solvent, and therefore do not conduct electricity. Examples include covalent compounds composed of only non-metals.
02

Determine the type of bonds

For each given substance, identify if it is an ionic compound or a covalent compound. (a) Calcium bromide, \(\mathrm{CaBr}_{2}\): Calcium is a metal, and bromine is a non-metal, so the bond between them is ionic. (b) Bromine, \(\mathrm{Br}_{2}\): Bromine is a non-metal, and since both atoms are the same element, the bond is covalent. (c) Hydrogen, \(\mathrm{H}_{2}\): Hydrogen is a non-metal, and due to both atoms being hydrogen, the compound has a covalent bond.
03

Identify electrolytes and non-electrolytes

Based on the type of bonds each substance has, we can classify them into electrolytes or non-electrolytes. (a) Calcium bromide, \(\mathrm{CaBr}_{2}\): This compound has an ionic bond, so when dissolved it will dissociate into ions and conduct electricity. Thus, calcium bromide is an electrolyte. (b) Bromine, \(\mathrm{Br}_{2}\): Since it has a covalent bond and both atoms are the same element, bromine will not dissociate into ions when dissolved in a polar solvent. Hence, bromine is a non-electrolyte. (c) Hydrogen, \(\mathrm{H}_{2}\): Hydrogen has a covalent bond, and thus will not split into ions in solution. Therefore, hydrogen is a non-electrolyte.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

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