Strong and Weak Electrolytes

The electrolyte is a medium that contains ions and conducts electricity through the movement of ions but not electrons.   Most soluble salts, acids, and bases absorbed in a polar solvent, such as water, fall into this category. When a material dissolves, it splits into cations and anions, which scatter evenly throughout the solvent. There are other solid-state electrolytes. The term electrolyte refers to the dissolved ingredient in the medication.

Such a solution is electrically neutral. When an electric potential is introduced to such a solution, the cations are pulled to the electrode with the most electrons, while the anions are drawn to the electrode with the least electrons. A current is the movement of anions and cations in opposing directions inside a solution. Some gasses, such as hydrogen chloride (HCl), can act as electrolytes when exposed to high temperatures or low pressures. These electrolytes can be either weak or strong electrolytes. You may read about the strong and weak electrolytes in our article.

Strong Electrolyte

A strong electrolyte is a solution/solute that ionizes or dissociates entirely or almost completely in a solution. In the solution, these ions are good conductors of electric current. Originally, a “strong electrolyte” was described as a substance that is a good conductor of electricity in an aqueous solution. It was superseded by the current concept as a result of a better knowledge of the characteristics of ions in solution.

At the same temperature, a concentrated solution of this powerful electrolyte has a lower vapor pressure than pure water. Strong electrolytes can include strong bases, strong acids, and also soluble ionic salts that are not weak bases or acids. A single reaction arrow for strong electrolytes indicates that the reaction proceeds entirely in one direction, as opposed to the dissociation of weak electrolytes, which ionize and re-bond in substantial amounts. 

Strong electrolyte(aq) → Cation+(aq) + Anion-(aq)

Only when melted or in watery solutions do strong electrolytes transmit electricity. Strong electrolytes totally disintegrate into ions. In a galvanic cell, the stronger the electrolyte, the higher the voltage generated.

Example of Strong Electrolyte

Strong electrolytes include strong acids, strong bases, including ionic salts that are not weak acids or bases. To function as strong electrolytes, salts must have a high solubility in the solvent.

Strong electrolytes include HCl (hydrochloric acid), H2SO4(sulfuric acid), NaOH (sodium hydroxide), and KOH (potassium hydroxide).

Weak Electrolyte

In an aqueous solution, a weak electrolyte does not entirely dissociate. The electrolyte ions and molecules will be present in the solution. Weak electrolytes ionize just partially in water (typically 1% to 10%), whereas strong electrolytes ionize entirely (100 percent).

Example of Weak Electrolyte

Weak electrolytes includeCH3COOH(acetic acid), H2CO3(carbonic acid), NH3 (ammonia), and H3PO4 (phosphoric acid). Electrolytes that are weak acids or bases are electrolytes that are weak. Powerful acids, bases, or salts, on the other hand, are strong electrolytes. Because the amount that does dissolve totally ionizes in water, salt with limited solubility in water can nonetheless be a powerful electrolyte.

Difference between Weak And Strong Electrolytes

Strong Electrolytes: Strong electrolytes break down into their constituent ions when dissolved in water.

Weak Electrolytes: Weak electrolytes partly break down into their ions when dissolved in water.

Dissociation

Strong electrolytes: Strong electrolytes can dissociate fully into ions.

Weak electrolytes: Weak electrolytes break down into ions to some extent.

Conclusion

The electrolyte is a medium that contains ions and conducts electricity through the movement of ions but not electrons. When a material dissolves, it splits into cations and anions, which scatter evenly throughout the solvent. Vital electrolytes are strong acids, strong bases, and soluble ionic salts that are not weak acids or bases. You have read about the strong and weak electrolytes in our article. A weak electrolyte is a solution in which only a tiny percentage of the dissolved solute is in ions. Weak electrolytes include HC2H3O2(acetic acid), H2CO3 (carbonic acid), NH3 (ammonia), and H3PO4 (phosphoric acid). Powerful acids, bases, and salts, on the other hand, are strong electrolytes. Because the amount that does dissolve ionizes in water can be a powerful electrolyte.