Arrhenius:

Electrolyte: A substance which, when added to water, causes it to

conduct electricity.

Non-electrolyte: A substance which does not cause water to conduct

electricity.

Acid: A substance which produces H+ when added to water

Base: A substance which produces OH- when added to water
Weak acid: an acid which only slightly dissociates in water
Strong acid: an acid which completely dissociates in water

strong electrolyte weak electrolyte non-electrolyte

ionic cmpds weak acids covalent cmpds
strong acids some weak bases (NH3)
Rules for Oxidation Numbers

1. Pure elements have oxidation # = 0

2. O always has oxidation # = -2 (except O2)

3. H always has oxidation # = +1 (except H2)

4. Don’t forget what you already know (Na +1 F

–1 etc)

5. The sum of all valences = the charge of the ion

Balancing Redox Equations (the oxidation # method)

1. From oxidation #’s determine the number of electrons

gained or lost by the reactants.

2. Cross-multiply the # of electrons (2x5 = 5x2)

to figure the number of these species in the balanced
equation.

3. Balance oxygen on both sides using water molecules.

4. Balance hydrogen on both sides using H+ ions

5. If in basic solution, cancel H+ with OH-