An electrolyte will yield ions by undergoing a:
Select the correct answer below:
A physical change
B chemical change
C spontaneous change
D depends on the substance
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is B) chemical change.
Explanation:
An electrolyte is a substance that, when dissolved in water or melted, conducts electricity due to the presence of free-moving ions. This process occurs through a chemical change, as the electrolyte breaks down into ions.
Key Points:
- Chemical Change:
- When an electrolyte dissolves in water or undergoes a process like melting, it dissociates into positive and negative ions. This dissociation is a chemical process because it involves the breaking of chemical bonds between atoms or molecules in the electrolyte. For instance, in the case of common salt (NaCl), the sodium (Na⁺) and chloride (Cl⁻) ions separate when the salt dissolves in water.
- The ions formed are capable of conducting electricity, which is why electrolytes are crucial for processes like electrolysis and in biological systems (e.g., nerve transmission and muscle function).
- Physical vs. Chemical Change:
- A physical change involves a change in the state or appearance of a substance without altering its chemical composition. For example, melting ice into water is a physical change, but the composition of water remains H₂O in both cases.
- In contrast, the dissociation of an electrolyte involves a change in the chemical structure because the bonds between atoms or molecules are broken, forming new charged particles (ions). Thus, the process cannot be classified as physical.
- Spontaneous Change:
- A spontaneous change refers to a process that occurs naturally under given conditions without needing external influence, but this is not the defining factor of electrolytic dissociation. The dissociation of an electrolyte depends on factors like temperature, solubility, and the nature of the substance, making it more appropriate to categorize it as a chemical change.
- Dependence on Substance:
- While the exact ions formed depend on the electrolyte (e.g., NaCl vs. H₂SO₄), the fundamental process of dissociation always involves a chemical change.
In summary, when an electrolyte dissolves and yields ions, it undergoes a chemical change because new ionic species are formed through the breaking of chemical bonds.