Describe an activity to show that acids give ions in water. Why does a solution of HCl conduct electricity while a glucose solution does not?
How to lay out the answer. Follow the frame, then write it in your own words.
1 · State the idea in one line. Acids produce H⁺(aq) ions in water, and these ions carry electric current.
2 · Describe the activity. Fix two nails in a cork in a beaker. Connect them to a 6 V battery, a bulb and a switch. Pour in dilute HCl, then repeat with glucose solution.
3 · Draw the circuit. Draw the beaker with two nails dipping in the solution, and wires to a battery, a bulb and a switch. Label: beaker, dilute HCl, nails, bulb, battery, switch.
4 · Give the observation and reason.
HCl: the bulb glows, because HCl gives H⁺ and Cl⁻ ions, and H⁺ + H₂O → H₃O⁺ (hydronium).
Glucose: the bulb does not glow, because glucose does not form ions.
5 · Link to real life. Rain water conducts a little because of dissolved ions, so never touch switches with wet hands.
6 · Close in one line. So acids show their properties only in water, where they form ions.
Scoring tip: Name the ions (H⁺ or H₃O⁺, and Cl⁻). Writing only "it conducts" loses the mark.
