Question

Given one mole of each substance, which of the following will produce the FEWEST particles in aqueous solution? 1. sodium nitrate 2. CH2Cl2 3. sodium phosphate 4. K2SO4

Answer 1

CH2Cl2 produces the fewest particles

Step-by-step explanation:

Step 1: Data given

1. sodium nitrate = NaNO3

2. CH2Cl2

3. sodium phosphate = Na3PO4

4. K2SO4

Step 2

NaNO3 → Na+ +NO3-

1. Sodium nitrate (NaNO3) dissociates into one Na^+ ion and one nitrate (NO3^-) ion. In total we have 2 particles.

2. CH2Cl2 is a covalent compound, so, it doesn't dissociate. So, one particle.

3) Na3PO4 → 3Na+ + PO4^3-

Sodium phosphate (Na3PO4) is an ionic compound. It dissociates into 3 Na^+ ions and 1 phosphate(PO4^-3) ion. In total, 4 particles.

4) K2SO4 → 2K+ + SO4^2-

Because K2SO4 is an "ionic" compound, it dissociates into 2 K^+ ions, and one sulfate(SO4^-2) ion. So, 3 particles.

CH2Cl2 produces only 1 particle so it has the fewest particles