Question

4. Match each substance A to E listed below with the appropriate description in parts (i) to (v):

(C) Hydrogen chloride

(i) A non-metal which is a good conductor of electricity

(ii)A covalent compound which behaves like an ionic compound in aqueous solution.

(iii)A compound which is insoluble in cold water but soluble in excess of ammonia solution.

(iv) A pink metal which is deposited at the cathode during the electrolysis of the solution of this Salt.

(v) A non-metal which reacts with concentrated nitric acid to form its own acid as one of the products.

Answer 1

Step 1: Explanation for correct option:

Correct option is (ii)A covalent compound that behaves like an ionic compound in aqueous solution. Although the bond between hydrogen and chlorine atoms is covalent, due to large differences in electronegativities (E.N. of Cl > E.N. of H), the electrons shift towards Chlorine, thus making the bond polar. As a result, it breaks as ions in an aqueous solution.

$$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{HCl}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to {\mathrm{H}}^{+}+{\mathrm{Cl}}^{-} \\ \mathrm{Hydrochloric} \\ \mathrm{acid} \end{gathered}$$

Step 2: Explanation for incorrect answers:

1. Since it is not non-metal, options (i) and (v) are incorrect.
2. Since it is soluble in water and breaks into ions, option (iii) is incorrect.
3. Since it is not a metal, option (iv) is incorrect.

Final answer: Correct option is (ii)A covalent compound that behaves like an ionic compound in an aqueous solution