To tell if ZnCl2 (Zinc chloride) is an electrolyte or non-electrolyte we first need to know what type of compound we have. Even though ZnCl2 is an acid, it is a weak acid and therefore a weak electrolyte. Only some of the Zinc chloride will dissociate completely into its ions (Zn 2+ and Cl-).

Common Strong Acids are: HCl, H2SO4, HNO3, HBr, HCl, HI, and HClO4

Because it is a weak acid it is also a weak electrolyte. While ZnCl2 will dissolve in water (it is soluble in water) it only partially dissociates into its ions. Therefore we consider ZnCl2 to be a weak electrolyte.

To tell if ZnCl2 (Zinc chloride) is an electrolyte or non-electrolyte we first need to know what type of compound we have. Because ZnCl2 has an H in front of the formula (ZnCl2 ) it is considered an acid. Since it's not on our list of common strong acids we assume that it is a weak acid.


----- Classifying Electrolytes -----
- Strong Electrolyte: completely dissociate in solution and conducts electricity. Soluble ionic compounds and strong acids are electrolytes.
- Weak Electrolyte: partially dissociate in solution and poorly conduct electricity.
- Non-Electrolytes: do not dissociate into ions and do not conduct electricity. Most molecular compounds are non-electrolytes.

----- Definitions -----
- Strong Electrolyte: completely dissociate in solution and conducts electricity. Soluble ionic compounds and strong acids are electrolytes.
- Weak Electrolyte: partially dissociate in solution and poorly conduct electricity.
- Non-Electrolytes: do not dissociate into ions and do not conduct electricity. Most molecular compounds are non-electrolytes.

----- Helpful Resources -----
Metals, Non-Metals on the Periodic Table: [ Ссылка ]
Ionic, Covalent, & Polar Covalent: [ Ссылка ]
Solubility Table: [ Ссылка ])
Solubility Rules: [ Ссылка ]
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Sports drinks, like Gatorade or Powerade, consist of primarily Potassium and Sodium electrolytes to provide hydration due to sweating. Other important electrolytes are chloride , calcium, magnesium, and phosphate. Drinks containing electrolytes are also used extensively in medicine for oral rehydration.

More chemistry at www.breslyn.org .

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