Question

Which of the following bases is a weak electrolyte?

• A. $C_5{H}_{5}N$
• B. All of the above
• C. $KOH$
• D. $N{H}_3$

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (D)

The base $N{H}_3$ when gets dissolved in water dissociates into the ions $N{H}_4^{+}$ and $O{H}^{-}$. Sometimes $N{H}_3$ when dissolved in water forms the ions $N{H}_2^{-}$ and $H^{+}$. At times $N{H}_3$ does not react with water at all. Hence, $N{H}_3$ does not dissociate completely into its ions when dissolved in water and thus $N{H}_3$ is a weak electrolyte.
Similarly, when pyridine that is $C_5{H}_{5}N$ is dissolved in water it forms the ions $C_5{H}_6{N}^{+}$ and $O{H}^{-}$. Thus pyridine too does not undergo complete dissociation into its ions. Hence it is a weak electrolyte
But $KOH$ undergoes complete dissociation into its ions $K^{+}$ and $O{H}^{-}$ ions when dissolved in water. Thus $KOH$ is a strong electrolyte.