A student observes that an unknown solution conducts electricity and turns blue litmus red. The student should conclude that the solution is most likely

A student observes that an unknown solution conducts electricity and turns blue litmus red. The student should conclude that the solution is most likely

• A. a base
• B. an acid
• C. an ester
• D. an alcohol

Answer: (B)

Electric conductivity in a solution comes from ions, and blue litmus turning red indicates acidity. Put together, these observations point to an acidic solution because acids dissociate in water to produce hydronium ions, which both conduct electricity and turn blue litmus red. A base would make red litmus blue, not red, so this isn’t a base. Esters and alcohols generally don’t ionize to produce significant hydronium ions in water, so they don’t turn blue litmus red or conduct electricity as strongly; that’s why they’re not the best explanations here. So the solution is most likely an acid.

Electric conductivity in a solution comes from ions, and blue litmus turning red indicates acidity. Put together, these observations point to an acidic solution because acids dissociate in water to produce hydronium ions, which both conduct electricity and turn blue litmus red.

A base would make red litmus blue, not red, so this isn’t a base. Esters and alcohols generally don’t ionize to produce significant hydronium ions in water, so they don’t turn blue litmus red or conduct electricity as strongly; that’s why they’re not the best explanations here.

So the solution is most likely an acid.