Question

Which of the following is an electrolyte?

• A. ${\mathrm{AgNO}}_3$solution
• B. Alcohol
• C. Mercury
• D. Sugar solution

Answer 1

The correct option is A

${\mathrm{AgNO}}_3$solution

Explanation for correct option:

A. ${\mathrm{AgNO}}_3$solution

Electrolysis:

• It is a process that leads to chemical change when an electric current is passed through an electrolyte.
• During the electrolysis process, the negatively charged electrode loses the electrons and undergoes oxidation while the positively charged electrode gains the electrons and undergoes the reduction process.

Electrolytes:

• The substances which allow electricity to pass through an aqueous solution are called electrolytes.
• In electrolytes, the electric current is carried by the movement of ions.
• Passage of electric current involves the decomposition of electrolytes due to a chemical reaction.
• The matter is transferred as ions.
• Examples are acid, base, and salts.

Silver nitrate $\left({\mathrm{AgNO}}_3\right)$solution is a strong electrolyte as it ionizes completely into ions when dissolved in water.

Non-electrolytes:

• The substances which do not allow an electric current to pass through their aqueous solutions are called non-electrolytes
• Examples of non-electrolytes are sugar, urea etc.

Explanation for incorrect options:

Option B: Alcohol is a non-electrolyte.

Option C: Mercury is not an electrolyte.

Option D: The sugar solution is also a non-electrolyte as it does not contain free ions.

Hence, the correct option is A i.e. ${\mathrm{AgNO}}_3$solution.