Question

Ostwald's dilution law is applicable in the case of the solution of:

• A. $NaCl$
• B. $NaOH$
• C. $H_2{SO}_4$
• D. ${CH}_{3}COOH$

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

${CH}_{3}COOH$

Ostwald’s dilution law is the application of the law of mass action to weak electrolytes in solution.

Ostwald's dilution law is only applicable to weak electrolytes because in strong electrolytes the dissociation is almost complete and extent of dissociation is almost equal to 1, hence $K_a$ goes to infinity.

In weak electrolytes, it is finite as the extent of dissociation is small.

In the given options, $NaCl$ is strong electrolyte, $NaOH$ is strong base and $H_{2}S{O}_4$ is strong acid.

Option D $C{H}_{3}COOH$ is weak acid (electrolyte) and is applicable to Ostwald's law.