In a demonstration of strong electrolytes, weak electrolytes, and nonelectrolytes, Professor Popsnorkle used a lightbulb apparatus that showed how much a solution conducted electricity by the brightness of the lightbulb. When pure water was tested, the bulb did not light. When some acetic acid was added to the water, the bulb burned dimly. When more acetic acid was added to the solution, the bulb burned a little more brightly. In his frustration to make the bulb shine brightly with acetic acid, Professor Popsnorkle started over by testing the beaker of the pure acetic acid. What was the result?
A)The bulb did not light.
B)The bulb burned dimly.
C)The bulb burned more than any of the others but still not brightly.
D)The bulb burned brightly.
E)Professor Popsnorkle was electrocuted.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Pure acetic acid is a weak electrolyte because it does not dissociate completely in water. However, in its pure form, without water to facilitate the ionization process, it hardly conducts electricity at all, hence the bulb would not light.

In a Demonstration of Strong Electrolytes, Weak Electrolytes, and Nonelectrolytes