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Question

Explain why the NaCl is not a conductor of electricity in the solid state whereas it does conduct electricity in an aqueous solution as well as in a molten state?


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Solution

NaCl does not conduct electricity in its solid state

  • NaCl does not conduct electricity in the solid state whereas it does conduct electricity in an aqueous solution as well as in a molten state.
  • NaCl is an ionic solid (solids formed by complete transference of electrons) and ionic solids conduct electricity only in a molten state but not in solids state.
  • In a solid state, ions of the ionic compounds are not free to move.
  • For the conduction of electricity, there must be the availability of free ions.
  • Due to the unavailability of free ions in the solid state, ionic compounds are unable to conduct electricity in the solid state.

NaCl conduct electricity in an aqueous solution as well as in a molten state

  • In ionic compounds, free ions are responsible for the conduction of electricity.
  • In the case of molten state or solution form, there is the movement of ions which helps in the conduction of electricity.

Hence, NaCl conduct electricity in a molten state and solution form due to the presence of free ions in the solution while in solid state ions are not free to move.


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