Question

State which of these will act as a non-electrolyte:
A.Liquid carbon tetrachloride
B.Acetic acid
C.Sodium hydroxide aqueous solution acid
D.Potassium chloride aqueous solution

Answer 1

Hint: In this question, we have to identify which one will act as a non-electrolyte. Non-electrolytes are compounds that do not ionize at all in solution and due to which the solution becomes non-conducting. Typically, non-electrolytes are primarily held together by covalent bonds rather than ionic bonds.

Complete step by step answer:
Now we will discuss the given options one by one.
First we have liquid carbon tetrachloride $\left( {CC{l_4}} \right)$. Carbon tetrachloride which is a non- polar substance when dissolved in water will not dissociate into ions due to which the solution becomes non-conducting and does not conduct electricity. Hence, carbon tetrachloride $\left( {CC{l_4}} \right)$ will act as a non-electrolyte. They are held together by covalent bonds.
Second option is acetic acid $\left( {C{H_3}COOH} \right)$. Acetic acid is a weak electrolyte which will partially dissociate into ions due to which the solution becomes conducting and produces a weak electric current. They are primarily held together by ionic bonds.
Third option is sodium hydroxide aqueous solution acid. Sodium hydroxide $\left( {NaOH} \right)$ is a strong electrolyte and will completely dissociate into ions due to which the solution becomes conducting and produces a strong electric current. They are primarily held together by ionic bonds.
Fourth option is potassium chloride aqueous solution. Potassium chloride is a strong electrolyte and will also completely dissociate into ions due to which the solution becomes conducting and produces a strong electric current. They are primarily held together by ionic bonds.
After concluding we can say carbon tetrachloride $\left( {CC{l_4}} \right)$ will act as a non-electrolyte.
Hence, the correct option is (A).

Note:
The electrolyte is a substance that produces an electrically conducting solution when dissolving in a polar solvent such as water.
Strong electrolytes are those electrolytes which completely dissociates into ions. For example-sodium hydroxide $\left( {NaOH} \right)$, potassium chloride $\left( {KCl} \right)$ etc.
Weak electrolytes are defined to be those electrolytes which partially dissociates into ions. For example- Acetic acid $\left( {C{H_3}COOH} \right)$.