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Ch. 25 Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Homeostasis
Amerman - Human Anatomy & Physiology 2nd Edition
Amerman2nd EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136873822Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksAmerman 2nd EditionCh. 25 Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base HomeostasisProblem L2.1
Chapter 25, Problem L2.1

Your friend argues that all water conducts electricity, regardless of what it contains. You prepare three liquids to test this hypothesis: one with deionized water (with no solutes, only water molecules), one with 5% glucose in water, and one with 5% sodium chloride in water. Which of these solutions, if any, will conduct an electric current? Explain.

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1
Understand the concept of electrical conductivity in liquids: Electrical conductivity depends on the presence of charged particles (ions) in a solution. Pure water (deionized water) has very few ions and is a poor conductor of electricity. Solutions with dissolved ionic compounds, like sodium chloride, can conduct electricity because they dissociate into ions.
Analyze the composition of deionized water: Deionized water contains only water molecules (H₂O) and lacks dissolved ions. Since there are no free ions to carry an electric current, deionized water does not conduct electricity effectively.
Examine the glucose solution: Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) is a covalent compound that dissolves in water but does not dissociate into ions. Therefore, a 5% glucose solution will not conduct electricity because it lacks free ions.
Evaluate the sodium chloride solution: Sodium chloride (NaCl) is an ionic compound. When dissolved in water, it dissociates into sodium ions (Na⁺) and chloride ions (Cl⁻). These ions are free to move and carry an electric current, making the 5% sodium chloride solution a good conductor of electricity.
Conclude the hypothesis test: Based on the analysis, only the sodium chloride solution will conduct electricity. Deionized water and the glucose solution will not conduct electricity because they lack free ions necessary for electrical conductivity.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Electrical Conductivity

Electrical conductivity refers to the ability of a substance to conduct electric current. This property is influenced by the presence of charged particles, such as ions, which can move freely within the solution. Pure water has very low conductivity because it lacks significant ions, while solutions containing electrolytes, like sodium chloride, can conduct electricity due to the dissociation of the salt into ions.
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Electrolytes

Electrolytes are substances that dissociate into ions when dissolved in water, allowing the solution to conduct electricity. Common examples include salts, acids, and bases. In the context of the question, sodium chloride (NaCl) is a strong electrolyte that fully dissociates into sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-) ions, while glucose is a non-electrolyte that does not dissociate into ions, thus affecting the conductivity of the solution.
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Deionized Water

Deionized water is water that has had its mineral ions removed, such as sodium, calcium, iron, and copper. This process results in a liquid that is very poor at conducting electricity because it lacks the ions necessary for current flow. In the experiment, deionized water will not conduct electricity, contrasting with the sodium chloride solution, which will demonstrate significant conductivity due to its ionic content.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Elise Anderson is a 6-year-old girl who presents to the emergency department with a history of vomiting for the past 3 days. The nurse notices that her respiratory rate is abnormally low. What is the likely reason for this change in ventilation? Predict what Elise's arterial blood gas values would show.

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Textbook Question

How does an electrolyte differ from a nonelectrolyte?

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A woman begins a diet and exercise regimen and loses 30 lb. Will her total body water increase, decrease, or stay the same? Why?

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Textbook Question

Explain how the amount of water in the body affects the concentration of ions and solutes in the ECF.

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Textbook Question

Diabetic ketoacidosis is characterized by an increased level of ketone bodies, which causes metabolic acidosis. A patient in diabetic ketoacidosis will have an altered rate of ventilation. Will the patient be hyperventilating or hypoventilating? How will a change in the rate and depth of ventilation compensate for an acidosis that is metabolic in nature?

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Textbook Question

What happens to the pH of a solution when hydrogen ions are added?

a. The pH increases.

b. The pH decreases.

c. The pH does not change.

d. The pH does not measure hydrogen ion concentration.

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