Question

Classify the solute represented in each of the following equations as a strong, weak, or nonelectrolyte:

a.${\mathrm{CH}}_4\mathrm{O}\left(l\right)\stackrel{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}}{⟶}{\mathrm{CH}}_4\mathrm{O}\left(aq\right)$

b.${\mathrm{MgCl}}_2\left(s\right)\stackrel{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}}{⟶}{\mathrm{Mg}}^{2+}\left(aq\right)+2{\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}\left(aq\right)$

c.$\mathrm{HClO}\left(aq\right)\stackrel{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}}{\rightleftarrows }{\mathrm{H}}^{+}\left(aq\right)+{\mathrm{ClO}}^{-}\left(aq\right)$

Short answer

(part a) The following equation,

${\mathrm{CH}}_4\mathrm{O}\left(l\right)\stackrel{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}}{⟶}{\mathrm{CH}}_4\mathrm{O}\left(aq\right)$is a nonelectrolyte.

(part b) The following equation,

${\mathrm{MgCl}}_2\left(s\right)\stackrel{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}}{⟶}{\mathrm{Mg}}^{2+}\left(aq\right)+2{\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}\left(aq\right)$is a strong electrolyte.

(part c) The following equation,

$\mathrm{HClO}\left(aq\right)\stackrel{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}}{\rightleftarrows }{\mathrm{H}}^{+}\left(aq\right)+{\mathrm{ClO}}^{-}\left(aq\right)$is a weak electrolyte.

Step-by-step solution

Introduction (part a).

Strong electrolyte: A material that freely ionized particles entirely or nearly wholly once subsumed or melted and is an excellent electrical conductor.

Weak electrolyte: A substance that slowly and incompetently oxidizes once submerged or begins to melt and conducts less electricity.

Nonelectrolyte: A substance that, when disintegrated or melted, doesn't really polarize but does not conduct electricity.

Given Information (part a). 

${\mathrm{CH}}_4\mathrm{O}\left(l\right)\stackrel{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}}{⟶}{\mathrm{CH}}_4\mathrm{O}\left(aq\right)$

Explanation (part a). 

When hydrated, $C{H}_{4}O$does not ionize. As a necessary consequence, it is a nonelectrolyte.

Given Information (part b).

${\mathrm{MgCl}}_2\left(s\right)\stackrel{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}}{⟶}{\mathrm{Mg}}^{2+}\left(aq\right)+2{\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}\left(aq\right)$

Explanation (part b).

$MgC{l}_2$completely ionized particles in water, forming $M{g}^{2+}$and$C{l}^{-}$ions. As more than just a result, it is a strong electrolyte.

Given Information (part c).

$\mathrm{HClO}\left(aq\right)\stackrel{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}}{\rightleftarrows }{\mathrm{H}}^{+}\left(aq\right)+{\mathrm{ClO}}^{-}\left(aq\right)$

Explanation (part c).

Incomplete ionization of $HClO$results in the formation of $H^{+}$and$C{l}^{-}$ions.

Hence, it is a weak electrolyte.