Practice Problem 3

Which of the following compounds should conduct an electric current when dissolved in water?

(a) methanol, CH₃OH

(b) strontium fluoride, SrF₂

Solution

(a) CH₃OH is a covalent compound that consists of neutral CH₃OH molecules that do not dissociate into ions when the compound dissolves in water. As a result, a solution of this compound in water should not conduct an electric current.

(b) SrF₂ is an ionic compound, which should dissociate into positive and negative ions when it dissolves in water to form a solution that conducts an electric current.

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