Which compound is the strongest Arrhenius electrolyte among the following?

Which compound is the strongest Arrhenius electrolyte among the following?

• A. CH3CH2OH
• B. C6H12O6
• C. CH3COOH
• D. NaOH

Answer: (D)

Electrolytes produce ions in solution, and their strength depends on how completely they ionize. The strongest electrolytes dissociate fully, providing a lot of charge carriers. Sodium hydroxide ionizes completely in water to Na+ and OH–, so the solution contains a high concentration of ions and conducts electricity very well. The other substances either don’t ionize (ethanol and glucose largely stay intact as molecules) or only ionize partially (acetic acid is a weak acid and only a fraction dissociates). Because it supplies many more ions, sodium hydroxide is the strongest Arrhenius electrolyte among these options.

Electrolytes produce ions in solution, and their strength depends on how completely they ionize. The strongest electrolytes dissociate fully, providing a lot of charge carriers. Sodium hydroxide ionizes completely in water to Na+ and OH–, so the solution contains a high concentration of ions and conducts electricity very well. The other substances either don’t ionize (ethanol and glucose largely stay intact as molecules) or only ionize partially (acetic acid is a weak acid and only a fraction dissociates). Because it supplies many more ions, sodium hydroxide is the strongest Arrhenius electrolyte among these options.