Ionic Equilibrium in Solution:
The equilibrium between ions and unionised substance is called ionic equilibrium, e.g.
CH3COOH + H2O ——> CH3COO– + H3O+
Ionization:
The process in which molecules (acid, bases and salts), when dissolved in water or melts, dissociate into ions is called ionization. Since the ions have positive or negative charge, the aqueous solution of such molecules can conduct electric current, hence such substances are commonly known as electrolytes. Molecules of substances like sugar urea, etc. on dissolution in water or on melting do not yield ions, hence such substances are called non-electrolytes.
Strong and Weak electrolytes:
Those electrolytes which dissociate almost completely into ions in aqueous solutions are known as strong electrolytes while those which show poor dissociation into ions in aqueous solutions are called weak electrolytes.
e.g. salts with a few exceptions (e.g., HgC12 CdBr2 etc.) some acids (HC1, HBr, HI, HC1O4) and hydroxides of alkali and alkaline earth metals are strong electrolytes. Most of the acids and bases (HNO3, H3PO3, HF, H2CO3, HCN, CH3COOH, NH4OH etc.) except those categorised under strong electrolytes are examples of weak electrolytes.
. Since the ions have positive or negative charge, the aqueous solution of such molecules can conduct electric current, hence such substances are commonly known as electrolytes. Molecules of substances like sugar urea, etc. on dissolution in water or on melting do not yield ions, hence such substances are called non-electrolytes.
Strong and Weak electrolytes:
Electrolytes which dissociate almost completely into ions in aqueous solutions are known as strong electrolytes while those which partially dissociates into ions in aqueous solutions are called weak electrolytes.
e.g. salts with a few exceptions (e.g., HgCl2 CdBr2 etc.) some acids (HCl, HBr, HI, HClO4) and hydroxides of alkali and alkaline earth metals are strong electrolytes. Most of the acids and bases (HNO3, H3PO3, HF, H2CO3, HCN, CH3COOH, NH4OH etc.) except those categorised under strong electrolytes are examples of weak electrolytes.