describing electrolyte behaviors

Question

Describe the electrolytic behavior in water for these compounds A) CaCl2  B) Fe(NO3)3  C) I2  D) HC2H3O2. And describe the primary species that exist in solution.

Answer 1

Not exactly sure what you mean by "describe".

(A) CaCl₂ is a strong electrolyte hydrolyzing completely into 3 particles (1 Ca²⁺ and 2 Cl^-).  The primary species will be the chloride ion, Cl^-.

 

(B) Fe(NO₃)₃ is a strong electrolyte hydrolyzing completely into 4 particles (1 Fe³⁺ and 3 NO₃^-).  The primary species will be the nitrate ion, NO₃^-.  

 

(C) I2 is a non electrolyte and will not hydrolyze. It is the primary species.

 

(D) HC₂H₃O₂ (assuming this is acetic acid) is a weak electrolyte hydrolyzing partially into 2 particles (H⁺ and C₂H₃O₂^-).  The primary species will be the undissociated acid, HC₂H₃O₂ because of the small K_a.