Question

Potassium chloride conducts electricity in _______ state.

Answer 1

Molten state of potassium chloride:

• The melting process frees the ions in potassium chloride from their fixed positions in the crystal lattice.
• Since these ions can move freely under the influence of an electric field, they can conduct electricity.
• Solid ionic compounds do not conduct electricity because the ions are held firmly in place.
• The ions cannot move to conduct the electric current.
• ${\mathrm{K}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{–}$ ions become fully dissociated in the water, where the mobile ions can freely drift under an electrical field’s influence.
• Hence, the movement of ions takes place only in the molten state.

Therefore, potassium chloride conducts electricity in a molten state.