Chapter 15, Problem 10RQ

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Two differences apparent in arrangement of water about the hydrated ions have to be identified.

Concept Introduction:

An electrolyte refers to an ionic compound that on solvation in polar protic solvents ionizes to yield cationic and anionic species. The free movement of such ionic species results in the conduction of electricity.

Three subcategories exist for electrolyte namely strong electrolyte weak electrolyte and non-electrolyte. The strong electrolytes on dissolution exhibit $100\text{ \%}$ dissociation; in contrast, the weak electrolytes are not $100\text{ \%}$ dissociated. However, the non-electrolytes barely dissociate or do not dissociate at all. The salts such as ${\text{K}}_{\text{2}}{\text{SO}}_{\text{4}}$, ${\text{NaNO}}_3$ also dissociate into respective cationic and anionic species thus they are considered as electrolytes.