Electrolyte/Solubility Connection

[ltw902]

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Is there a connection between the solubility of a compound and it's strength as an electrolyte? The question is:

Which is NOT a strong electrolyte?
A. HCl
B. HOCl
C. NH4Cl
D. PbO2

Using solubility rules, Pb isn't soluble, hence that's why I chose D. But why would the answer be B? A and C are soluble so they're strong electrolytes... Solubility rules say that Pb isn't soluble... Am I missing something?

 

[tjquinn]

Is there a connection between the solubility of a compound and it's strength as an electrolyte? The question is:

Which is NOT a strong electrolyte?
A. HCl
B. HOCl
C. NH4Cl
D. PbO2

Using solubility rules, Pb isn't soluble, hence that's why I chose D. But why would the answer be B? A and C are soluble so they're strong electrolytes... Solubility rules say that Pb isn't soluble... Am I missing something?

This question had me going for a bit; however, I think the clue is what you have already discussed. You say PbO2 IS NOT soluble; therefore, it is not even an electrolyte. In fact, PbO2 does not fall under the category of electrolytes, so you should eliminate it by definition.

An electrolyte, is soluble in water (if fully then strong; if slightly then weak). Therefore, we know A & C are soluble to a high degree and by process of elimination B must be the weak electrolyte. As it turns out, hypochlorite is a weak acid and therefore is slightly soluble. I hope this helps,

Tjquinn

 

[G1SG2]

Is there a connection between the solubility of a compound and it's strength as an electrolyte? The question is:

Which is NOT a strong electrolyte?
A. HCl
B. HOCl
C. NH4Cl
D. PbO2

Using solubility rules, Pb isn't soluble, hence that's why I chose D. But why would the answer be B? A and C are soluble so they're strong electrolytes... Solubility rules say that Pb isn't soluble... Am I missing something?

Yeah, I think it has to do with the definition of an electrolyte. Where is this question from?

 

[Doodl3s]

God i hate questions like this... stupid wording. I have a question though, Does anyone have some sort of good mnemonic for memorizing the solubility rules? theres too many exceptions and whatnot for me!

 

[0Complications]

God i hate questions like this... stupid wording. I have a question though, Does anyone have some sort of good mnemonic for memorizing the solubility rules? theres too many exceptions and whatnot for me!

I just know the salts, then I eliminate. I think memorizing the rules is somewhat of a waste of time. Just think about things you are used to seeing as ions, if you are used to seeing them as ions that means they were probably soluble at some point, so if you see it a compound with and there is a disparity between their electronegativities, I would say it is soluble.


Just use the periodic table as your guide.


By the way, that question is ridiculous. You can't logically argue a case against D being the correct answer. It is clearly not a strong electrolyte. It's not even soluble. If the book is basing the answer on the definition of an electrolyte, they are still wrong. If it is not an electrolyte, then by definition it can not be a strong electrolyte.

 

[loveoforganic]

Yep, book's wrong. D's right.

 

[G1SG2]

Yeah, that question has really strange wording. I would've picked D, as that's what I initially thought as well. I sure hope that's not an AAMC question =/