Which compound, when dissolved in water, conducts electricity and forms a basic solution ?
HCl
CH₃COOH
CH₃OH
NaOH
Answer is Right!
Answer is Wrong!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2017
A) HCl (Hydrochloric acid): A strong acid. Dissolves in water to form H⁺ and Cl⁻ ions, conducting electricity. Forms an acidic solution (high concentration of H⁺).
B) CH₃COOH (Acetic acid): A weak acid. Partially dissociates in water to form H⁺ and CH₃COO⁻ ions, conducting electricity weakly. Forms an acidic solution.
C) CH₃OH (Methanol): An alcohol. Does not ionize in water. Does not conduct electricity. Forms a neutral solution.
D) NaOH (Sodium hydroxide): A strong base. Dissolves in water to form Na⁺ and OH⁻ ions, conducting electricity well. Forms a basic solution (high concentration of OH⁻).
Only NaOH satisfies both conditions: conducting electricity (due to ion formation) and forming a basic solution (due to OH⁻ production).