Question

The degree of dissociation of weak electrolytes increases by:
A. increasing the concentration of weak electrolyte solution
B. Adding a common ion
C. dissolution in the solvent of low dielectric constant
D. Adding more amount of solvent

Answer 1

Hint: An electrolyte is a substance that shows the property of conductivity of electricity due to its dissociation into negatively and positively charged ions. One example of an electrolyte is Sodium chloride solution.

Complete Step by Step Solution:
Let's first understand weak and strong electrolytes. Strong electrolytes are those which undergo complete dissociation, such as Sodium Chloride, and a large amount of current flows through it.

Weak electrolytes are those which conduct a very small amount of current through it because of their partial dissociation. Some weak electrolytes are Ammonia, Hydrogen fluoride, etc.

Now, we will discuss the term degree of dissociation. At a specific temperature, the phenomenon to produce free ions from the solute which carries current is termed degree of dissociation.

Here, we have to identify the reason that can cause a weak electrolyte's degree of dissociation. Dilution defines the process of the addition of more amounts of solvent to the solution. On adding more solvent to the solution, there is an increase in dissociation of weak electrolytes into ions.
Hence, the right answer is option D.

Note: The term degree of dissociation is represented by the symbol \[\alpha \] . The degree of dissociation is found by the division of the quantity of dissociated substance and the total quantity of substance. Here, the amount of the substance is expressed in mole numbers.