answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

In solid table salt (sodium chloride or NaCl), the atoms of sodium and chlorine are locked to each other in ionic bonds, and these molecules are, in turn, locked into a crystal matrix. There are no "free electrons" in this structure that are available to support the flow of electric current. That's why salt in its solid form won't conduct electricity. It's a different story when sodium chloride is in aqueous solution or is molten. In solution, salt molecules will dissociate. They will "decompose" into ions of sodium and chlorine, what are Na+ and Cl- as we write them in chemistry. These ions have mobility in the solution, and if we stick a pair of electrodes into a salt solution and hook up a battery, we can get current flow through the solution. The ions themselves will be the charge carriers, and salt water is a conductor or an electrolyte. If we melt sodium chloride, it will undergo thermal dissociation. The heat of fusion (standard enthalpy of fusion) is sufficient to again cause the molecules of salt to "decompose" into those ions we spoke of, and the ions will be mobile in the molten salt like they are when salt is in solution. Molten salt will conduct electricity.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

Molten sodium chlorate can conduct electricity while solid sodium chlorate cannot conduct electricity.. This is because molten sodium chloride have freely moving ion. The sodium chloride will dissociate when it dissolve in water. Solid sodium chlorate do not have freely moving electron because all the electron is use in bonding..

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

No, the solution is more conductive because it is aqueous and contains ions.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

When molten the ions are free to move in an applied electric field causing a current to flow and sodium metal and chlorine gas to be produced. In the solid state the ions are locked in place.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

7y ago

Yes, the solution is a better conductor of electricity.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why is sodium chloride a better conductor of electricity in molten state than in solid state?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Why will molten Sodium Chloride undergo electrolysis?

Molten sodium chloride consists of sodium ions and chloride ions and is therefore a conductor of electricity- and can be electrlysed.


Is dry solid sodium chloride a conductivity of electricity?

Not positive, but fairly sure that solid sodium chloride is not a conductor. Molten sodium chloride is a good conductor.


Is salt a conductor?

Sodium chloride is an electrical conductor only in solution or when is melted.


Is sodium azide a good conductor of electricity?

Not in it's usual solid state. But sodium chloride will conduct electricity of molten or dissolved in water.


Does NaCl conducts electricity?

Not in its normal, solid form but it will when molten or dissolved in water.


Why does molten sodium chloride will conduct electricity?

No, it is not. 'Solid sodium chloride doesn't conduct electricity, because there are no electrons which are free to move.' http://www.chemguide.co.uk/atoms/structures/ionicstruct.html


Is sodium chloride different from a metal as an electrical conductor?

Sodium chloride is different from a metal as an electrical conductor. This is because sodium chloride is an ionic compound and therefore can only conduct electricity when molten or dissolved, as the ions are free to move in this state. However, metals can conduct electricity when solid or molten because the atoms are free to move in both states, therefore they can carry an electrical charge. This is therefore the difference between sodium chloride and metals as an electrical conductor.


Is salt itself a conductor of electricity?

In molten form a salt itself is a conductor of electricity.


Does copper sodium chloride electricity when molten?

Copper and molten sodium chloride are electrical conductors.


Is an electric current conducted by a solution of sodium chloride?

Solid sodium chloride is not an electrolyte.Sodium chloride in water solutions or molten sodium chloride are electrolytes.


Is glass a conductor or insulator of electricity?

Glass in a molten state is a conductor of electricity. When glass turns to a solid state it becomes an insulator.Basically, glass in a window or a test tube would be the solid state and so it is a insulator of electricity.


Why is molten sodium chloride good conductor of electricity?

It will separate to NA+ and Cl- Ions when its molten so, Cl will give its e- to anode and Na+ will give an electron from cathode so making gas of chlorine and solid of sodium and the electricity will flow.