Indicate whether aqueous solutions of each of the following solutes contain only ions, only molecules, or mostly molecules and a few ions: b. NaBr, a strong electrolyte

Electrolytes are substances that dissociate into ions when dissolved in water, allowing the solution to conduct electricity. They can be classified as strong or weak based on their degree of ionization. Strong electrolytes, like NaBr, completely dissociate into their constituent ions in solution, while weak electrolytes only partially dissociate.

Strong electrolytes are compounds that fully ionize in solution, resulting in a high concentration of ions. In contrast, weak electrolytes only partially ionize, leading to a mixture of ions and un-ionized molecules. Understanding this distinction is crucial for predicting the behavior of solutes in aqueous solutions.

Aqueous solutions are mixtures where water is the solvent, and solutes are dissolved in it. The nature of the solute—whether it forms ions or remains as molecules—affects the properties of the solution, such as conductivity and reactivity. In the case of NaBr, the solution will contain only ions due to its classification as a strong electrolyte.