Question

Fill in the blanks with suitable words:

(f) The conducting nature of ionic compound is due to the ______ions.

Answer 1

Ionic Theory

• In solutions, electrolytes are present in the form of ions and permit the flow of current through them.
• Movement of free ions is responsible for the flow of current.
• The ionic compound conducts electricity in molten form or aqueous solution as its constituent ions can move freely.
• It will not conduct electricity when it is present in solid form due to the strong attractions between the constituent ions.

Example

• Consider an example of Sodium chloride $\left(\mathrm{NaCl}\right)$. It is an ionic compound that involves the presence of sodium $\left({\mathrm{Na}}^{+}\right)$ and chloride $\left({\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}\right)$ ions.
• Due to the presence of free ions in molten form and aqueous solutions, sodium chloride has a conducting nature.$\mathrm{NaCl}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to {\mathrm{Na}}^{+}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)$

Hence, the conducting nature of an ionic compound is due to the free ions.