Question

Is Potassium chromate an electrolyte?

Answer 1

Hint: Potassium chromate is an inorganic compound which has a chemical formula of \[{K_2}Cr{O_4}\] .It has a yellow coloured appearance and is considered as potassium salt of chromate ion. It is prepared by treating potassium dichromate with potassium hydroxide: or by the fusion of potassium hydroxide and chromium oxide

Complete answer:
When certain substances are dissolved in a liquid medium particularly in organic solvents like water,the dissolved solution seems to conduct electricity.Such substances which possess this ability are termed as electrolytes.Electrolytes are present almost everywhere and they have a very important role to play in the smooth biological functioning of the human body.
The compounds which typically lack Carbon-Hydrogen bonds are said to be inorganic compounds.Potassium chromate is one such inorganic compound.It’s a yellowish crystalline solid which emits toxic chromium fumes when heated.It’s a strong oxidizing agent and is highly corrosive in nature. Potassium chromate is a strong electrolyte and it completely dissolves in water forming potassium and chromate ions.
The chemical reaction goes as follows,
 $ {K_2}Cr{O_4} \to 2{K^ + } + CrO_4^{ - 2} $
The reaction yields two different types of ion,The positive potassium ion and negative chromate ion.Although Potassium chromate is soluble in water it is insoluble in alcohol. Potassium chromate can also be converted to Potassium dichromate very easily under controlled laboratory conditions.

Note:
Potassium chromate has the following industrial applications: Used in making pigments for paints and ink. Used as anhydrous salt in laboratories. Used as an oxidizing agent. However it also possesses some serious health hazards and it’s also toxic to aquatic life.