Question

Which of the following is a weak electrolyte?
1. Calcium chloride
2. Sodium chloride
3. Ethanoic acid
4. Magnesium sulphate

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : Ethanoic acid

The correct answer is Ethanoic acid.

•  Weak electrolyte
  • A weak electrolyte is an electrolyte that does not completely dissociate in an aqueous solution.
  • The solution will contain both ions and molecules of the electrolyte.
  • Weak electrolytes only partially ionize in the water while strong electrolytes completely ionize.
  • Weak acids and weak bases are weak electrolytes.
  • Examples are HC2H3O2 (acetic acid), H2CO3 (carbonic acid), NH3 (ammonia), and H3PO4 (phosphoric acid).
• ​Ethanoic acid
  • ​Ethanoic acid is the most important of the Carboxylic acids.
  • Ethanoic acid is also called Acetic acid.
  • A dilute solution of acetic acid produced by fermentation and oxidation of natural carbohydrates is called vinegar.
  • Ethanoic acid is used in the preparation of metal acetates, used in some printing processes.

•  Calcium Chloride 
  • Calcium chloride is an inorganic compound, a salt with the chemical formula CaCl2.
  • It is a white coloured crystalline solid at room temperature, and it is highly soluble in water. 
  • It can be created by neutralising hydrochloric acid with calcium hydroxide.
• Sodium Chloride
  • Sodium chloride is commonly known as salt.
  • It is an ionic compound with the chemical formula NaCl.
  • In its edible form of table salt, it is commonly used as a condiment and food preservative.
  • It is a major source of sodium and chlorine compounds used as feedstocks for further chemical syntheses.
• Magnesium sulphate
  • Magnesium sulphate is a chemical compound, a salt with the formula MgSO4.
  • The main use of magnesium sulphate is in agriculture, to correct soils deficient in magnesium.