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Chemistry

State which of the two — a solution of HCl in water or in toluene is an electrolyte. Explain.

Hydrogen Chloride

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Answer

A solution of hydrogen chloride in water gives ions,

HCl + H2O ⟶ H3O+ + Cl-

These ions are responsible for conducting electricity and turning blue litmus red. Due to the presence of hydronium [H3O+] ions, aqueous solution of HCl is an electrolyte.

Toluene is an organic solvent and HCl is a covalent compound. A solution of HCl in toluene contains only molecules and not ions due to which it does not conduct electricity. The absence of hydronium [H3O+] ions make the solution neutral and does not act as an electrolyte.

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