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Electricity put simply is a flow of electrons.
Molecular compounds do not tend to conduct electricity because they have no delocalised electrons and are not free to move and carry electric charge.
Metallic compounds can conduct electricity because they form a lattice where the electrons in the valence shell leave the atom and are free to move throughout the lattice. Therefore a metallic lattice is a whole lot of metal cations (positive ions) as they have lost electrons surrounded by a 'sea of electrons'.
Ionic compounds can also conduct electricity, but not in the solid state. If you dissolve a metal salt such as NaCl into water, it leaves the lattice and breaks down into its constituent ions : Na+ and Cl-. These ions can then move freely throughout the liquid and conduct electric current.
However, acids are covalent compounds that can conduct electricity when dissolved in water, as it ionizes, which means to react with water to produce two or more ions. Electricity put simply is a flow of electrons.
Molecular compounds do not tend to conduct electricity because they have no delocalised electrons and are not free to move and carry electric charge.
Metallic compounds can conduct electricity because they form a lattice where the electrons in the valence shell leave the atom and are free to move throughout the lattice. Therefore a metallic lattice is a whole lot of metal cations (positive ions) as they have lost electrons surrounded by a 'sea of electrons'.
Ionic compounds can also conduct electricity, but not in the solid state. If you dissolve a metal salt such as NaCl into water, it leaves the lattice and breaks down into its constituent ions : Na+ and Cl-. These ions can then move freely throughout the liquid and conduct electric current.
However, acids are covalent compounds that can conduct electricity when dissolved in water, as it ionizes, which means to react with water to produce two or more ions.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoFor a substance to conduct electricity, its molecules must have free-moving electric charges, like electrons or charged ions. Metals have free-moving electrons, so they conduct electricity. Likewise, molten ionic solids have free ions, so they conduct electricity as well. As for covalent compounds, they have no free-moving charges whatsoever.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoMost molecular compounds are poor conductors of electricy because to be a good conductor, a material needs a lot of electrons that are weakly bound to any particular atom; molecules tend to hold onto their electrons--or to give them up, but not allow a flow. For instance, if you rub a balloon on your hair, your hair quite readily gives up some electrons to the surface of the balloon, but the balloon's material does not conduct them; they just sit there (forming a static--that is, non-conducting--charge).
There are some exceptions. For example, some researchers and companies involved in producing non-silicon solor panels have identified molecules that can release electrons when struck by light and then conduct those electrons to produce a current. There are also a number of so-called high-temperature superconductors that are ceramic compounds (such as bismuth strontium calcium copper oxide and yttrium barium copper oxide)--these would be more strictly called ionic (crystalline) rather than molecular.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoAdd your answer:
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Why are most molecular compound poor conductors?
Molecular compounds are poor conductors because they have no charge. Molecular compounds are simply just covalent bonds. Since covalent compounds dont give or take, they SHARE valence electrons they have no charge. Electricity is only created by positive and negative electrons, but since a molecular compound has no charge they are poor conductors. ONLY MOST ARE POOR CONDUCTORS. Why? Sometimes there is an unbalance and some molecules like Water tend be favor positive or negative, water for instance is just slightly negative.
Compounds with what bonds are poor conductors of electricity even when melted?
Covalent
Is a typical property of an ionic compound?
low melting point. ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points. They conduct electricty in solution or in molten state unlike covalent compounds and carbon compounds which are poor conductors of electricity .
How do you account for fair and poor conductors of electricity?
The mobility of the electrons in matter. Tightly bound electrons make for poor conductors.
Is it true that nonmetals are good conductors of heat and electricity?
Some nonmetallic materials are good conductors, graphite being an example. In this form, it is considered a semi-metal for that reason. Normally, however, nonmetals are not good electrical conductors.
Why molecular compounds are poor conductors?
molecular compounds are poor conductors because they do not break up into ions. Hope this helps and I'm not to late:)
Why are most molecular compound poor conductors?
Molecular compounds are poor conductors because they have no charge. Molecular compounds are simply just covalent bonds. Since covalent compounds dont give or take, they SHARE valence electrons they have no charge. Electricity is only created by positive and negative electrons, but since a molecular compound has no charge they are poor conductors. ONLY MOST ARE POOR CONDUCTORS. Why? Sometimes there is an unbalance and some molecules like Water tend be favor positive or negative, water for instance is just slightly negative.
Compounds with what bonds are poor conductors of electricity even when melted?
Covalent
Why is table salt a poor conducter of electricity?
Usually, solid ionic compounds are weak conductors of electricity. Aqueous solutions of ionic compounds are good conductors though as they have free ions for conductivity. When table salt is dissolved, the solution conducts electricity well.
Are poor conductors of heat poor conductors of electricity?
Yes.
How are the properties of molecular compounds poor conducters of electricity?
Because have lower melting points and boiling points
Are coins good or poor conductors of electricity?
Coins are made of metal and metals are good conductors of electricity.
Is a poor conductors of electricity and heat?
yes
What are materials that are poor conductors of electricity called?
They are insulators.
What are insulators such as wood and air poor conductors of?
Electricity
Is ionic compounds electrical conductivity in liquid state poor or good?
There are free ions in the liquid state of ionic compound, hence the are good conductors of electricity.
What material does not allow light to pass through is a good conductor of heat but not a good conductor of electricity?
Non metals are poor conductors of heat and are not conductors of electricity , except for carbon , which is can conduct a little bit of electricity. Non metals are poor conductors of heat and are not conductors of electricity , except for carbon , which is can conduct a little bit of electricity.
