How does Arrhenius's ionic theory work?
My ionic theory posits that electrolytes, when dissolved in a polar solvent like water, undergo dissociation. This means that the molecules of the electrolyte break apart into smaller, electrically charged components – the ions. For example, common salt, sodium chloride (NaCl), in water separates into positively charged sodium ions (Na+) and negatively charged chloride ions (Cl-). The degree of this dissociation, and thus the conductivity of the solution, depends on the nature of the electrolyte and the concentration. This was a demonstrable phenomenon, observable through careful measurement of electrical resistance.
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