The Power of Water: Hydrogen Chloride's Conductivity

[cowraptor]

Which statement explains that a water solution of hydrogen chloride, HCL, is an excellent conductor, while pure liquid hydrogen chloride does not conduct electricity?

1. Water is an electrolyte

2. Hydrogen Chloride ionizes in water

3. Hydrogen Chloride is a non-electrolyte

4. Hydrogen chloide releases electrons in water

 

[Borek]

You just don't ask. You try, you tell us what you did, we push you in the right direction.

 

[Blueshift5]

The correct statement is option 2. Hydrogen Chloride ionizes in water. When hydrogen chloride is dissolved in water, it dissociates into positively charged hydrogen ions (H+) and negatively charged chloride ions (Cl-). These ions are free to move and carry an electric charge, making the solution a good conductor of electricity. In contrast, pure liquid hydrogen chloride does not dissociate into ions and therefore does not conduct electricity. This phenomenon is known as electrolytic dissociation and is the reason why water solutions of certain substances, such as acids and salts, can conduct electricity while their pure forms cannot.