Question

Compounds such as alcohol and glucose also contain hydrogen but are not categorised as acids. Describe an activity to prove it.

Answer 1

1. Take solutions of hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, glucose and alcohol. All these are hydrogen-containing compounds.
2. Fix two iron nails on a rubber cork and place the cork in a beaker [as shown in figure (a)].
3. Connect the nails to the two terminals of a 6-volt battery through a switch and a bulb.
4. Pour some dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution into the beaker and switch on the current. The bulb starts glowing [see figure (a)]. This shows that the hydrochloric acid solution in the beaker conducts electricity. If we repeat this experiment by taking a sulphuric acid solution in the beaker, the bulb glows again. This shows that sulphuric acid solution also conducts electricity. In fact, all the acid solutions conduct electricity.
5. Let us now take a glucose solution (C₆H₁₂O₆ solution) in the beaker and switch on the current. The bulb does not glow in this case [see figure (b)]. This shows that a glucose solution does not conduct electricity. If we repeat this experiment by taking alcohol solution in the beaker, the bulb does not glow again. This shows that alcohol solution also does not conduct electricity.