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Why do ionic substances not conduct electricity in their solid form but will if they are dissolved or in their liquid form?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Because in order for something to conduct electricity, it must be able to transport electrons or charge.
Ionic substances such as NaCl cannot conduct electricity in their solid state since the Ions (Na+ + Cl- ) are not free to move around and therefore cannot carry electrons. When you dissolve them, or melt them, the Ions are free to move and so can carry electrons from the cathode (negative end) to the anode (positive end).
Electrons leave the cathode and enter the solution via the Positive Na+:
Na+ + e- = Na which reacts with chlorine gas formed at the anode, which is where the electrons leave the system:
2Cl- - 2e- = Cl2
And hence the NaCl is recovered:
2Na + Cl2 = 2NaCl
So the electrons have moved from the cathode into and through the solution via the ions and left via the anode, hence the solution/liquid conducts electricity.
This is also the principle behind electrolysis, except you remove the products formed at the cathode and anode, rather than allowing them to recombine
2NaCl(l) + electricity = 2Na + Cl2
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Ionic substances consist of positively charged cations and negatively charged anions arranged in a fixed three-dimensional lattice structure in their solid form. In this state, ions are not free to move and carry an electric charge, so they cannot conduct electricity. However, when dissolved in a liquid or melted, the ions become mobile, allowing them to carry charges and conduct electricity.
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Why do ionic crystals conduct electric currents in the liquid phase or when dissolved in the water but do not conduct electric currents in the solid phase?
because when the ions can move around freely, they can conduct electricity better
Does liquid naphthalene conduct electricity?
Naphthalene is a Ionic Substance. Hence, Ionic substance do not conduct when solid. But they do conduct when melted or dissolved in water - and they decompose at the same time. Therefor molten Naphthalene conduts electricity as the ions become free to move when dissolved in water.
Which type of liquid is the best conductor of electricity?
waterWater is the best conductor, but not in its most pure form. Pure water or H2O does not conduct electricity well at all. But, many substances dissolve in water. In fact it is known as the "universal solvent". Because of this, water found in nature and in use is rarely pure and will conduct electricity rather well.So, it is the many dissolved compounds in water, not the water itself that conducts electricity well.But normally yes, water it the best liquid conductor.
Mercury the element ability to conduct electricity?
You can conduct electricity through liquid mercury.
What are examples of saturated substances?
it dissolved completely into a liquid
Do covalent compounds conduct electricity?
No. Covalent substances do not conduct electricity in solid or liquid state.
Can water conduct electricity in solid state?
No. Water can only conduct electricity in its liquid state with dissolved ionic solutes.
What is Any chemical compound which will conduct an electricity currently when it is a liquid state or when dissolved in water?
solid liquid gas plasma
Why salt water conduct electricity while distilled water cannot?
Dissolved and liquid salts are electrolytes and do conduct electricity. All natural waters have salts in them. Water only conducts electricity, when salts have dissolved in the water. Distilled water aka water without any salts is a nonelectrolyte and does not, as any other oxide, conduct electricity.
What general name is given to substances that conduct electricity in a solution?
A Liquid that conducts electricity and is decomposed in the process is called electrolyte.
Why do ionic crystals conduct electric currents in the liquid phase or when dissolved in the water but do not conduct electric currents in the solid phase?
because when the ions can move around freely, they can conduct electricity better
Why do ionic crystals conduct electric current in the liquid phase or when dissolved in water but do not conduct electric current in the solid phase?
because when the ions can move around freely, they can conduct electricity better
Does liquid naphthalene conduct electricity?
Naphthalene is a Ionic Substance. Hence, Ionic substance do not conduct when solid. But they do conduct when melted or dissolved in water - and they decompose at the same time. Therefor molten Naphthalene conduts electricity as the ions become free to move when dissolved in water.
Which type of liquid is the best conductor of electricity?
waterWater is the best conductor, but not in its most pure form. Pure water or H2O does not conduct electricity well at all. But, many substances dissolve in water. In fact it is known as the "universal solvent". Because of this, water found in nature and in use is rarely pure and will conduct electricity rather well.So, it is the many dissolved compounds in water, not the water itself that conducts electricity well.But normally yes, water it the best liquid conductor.
Does liquid conduct electricity?
Liquids containing dissociable solutes conduct electricity.
Why does sodium chloride conducts electricity not when a solid?
When solid sodium chloride dos not conduct electricity because the ions are tightly bound in the ionic crystal lattice. When molten or when dissolved the ions are free to move and conduct electricity.
Does saltconduct electricity?
In order to conduct electric current, salt has to be either dissolved in a liquid, or else melted in its own liquid form. A pile of dry salt out of the shaker won't do it.
