4.1 Solutions and Electrolytes

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What is a Solution?

A solution is composed of a solvent and one or more solutes.

The solvent is a liquid and is present in a higher concentration than any of the solutes.

The solute is dissolved in the solvent. It can be a solid, liquid, or gas.

Electrolytes dissolve in water to form ions making the solution electrically conductive. They include ionic compounds, acids, and bases.

Strong electrolytes dissociate into ions completely.

Weak electrolytes dissociate into ions only partially.

Nonelectrolytes can dissolve in water but don’t form ions.

Strong Electrolytes

1. Soluble Ionic Compounds

2. Strong Acids ((HCl, HBr, HI, HClO₄ HClO₃, H₂SO₄, HNO₃)

3. Strong Bases (Group I metal hydroxides, Ba(OH)₂, Sr(OH)₂, Ca(OH)₂)

Weak Electrolytes

1. Weak Acids (ex. HF, HCN, CH₃COOH, etc.)

2. Weak Bases (ex. NH₃, CH₃NH₂, etc.)

Nonelectrolytes

Molecular compounds (except acids/bases) (ex. C₆H₁₂O₆ and CH₃OH)