Indicate whether aqueous solutions of each of the following solutes contain only ions, only molecules, or mostly molecules and a few ions:b. NaBr, a strong electrolyte
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the type of compound NaBr is. NaBr is an ionic compound composed of sodium (Na) and bromide (Br) ions.
Understand the concept of a strong electrolyte. Strong electrolytes are substances that completely dissociate into ions when dissolved in water.
Recognize that when NaBr is dissolved in water, it dissociates completely into Na⁺ and Br⁻ ions.
Since NaBr is a strong electrolyte, its aqueous solution will contain only ions.
Conclude that the aqueous solution of NaBr contains only ions, as it fully dissociates in water.
Verified video answer for a similar problem:
This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above
Video duration:
1m
Play a video:
0 Comments
Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Electrolytes
Electrolytes are substances that dissociate into ions when dissolved in water, allowing the solution to conduct electricity. They can be classified as strong or weak based on their degree of ionization. Strong electrolytes, like NaBr, completely dissociate into their constituent ions in solution, while weak electrolytes only partially dissociate.
Strong electrolytes are compounds that fully ionize in solution, resulting in a high concentration of ions. In contrast, weak electrolytes only partially ionize, leading to a mixture of ions and un-ionized molecules. Understanding this distinction is crucial for predicting the behavior of solutes in aqueous solutions.
Aqueous solutions are mixtures where water is the solvent, and solutes are dissolved in it. The nature of the solute—whether it forms ions or remains as molecules—affects the properties of the solution, such as conductivity and reactivity. In the case of NaBr, the solution will contain only ions due to its classification as a strong electrolyte.