Why are strong acids and bases also strong electrolytes?

1 Answer
Feb 5, 2016

Strong acids and strong base dissociate completely in solution and therefore are said to be strong electrolytes.

Explanation:

An electrolyte by definition is a compound that dissociate completely or partially into its corresponding ions in solution.

A strong electrolyte is a substance that dissociates completely into its corresponding ions in solution such as #NaCl#, #KNO_3# and so on.

A weak electrolyte is a substance that dissociates partially into its corresponding ions in solution such as acetic acid.

A non electrolyte is a substance that does not dissociate at all into ions in solution such as sugar.

Strong acids and strong base dissociate completely in solution and therefore are said to be strong electrolytes.

Strong Acid:
#HA(aq)->H^(+)(aq) +A^(-)(aq)#

Example:
#HCl(aq)->H^(+)(aq) +Cl^(-)(aq)#

Strong base:
#B(aq)+H_2O(l)->BH^(+)(aq)+OH^(-)(aq)#

Example:
#NaOH(aq)+H_2O(l)->Na^(+)(aq)+OH^(-)(aq)+H_2O(l)#