Question

Potassium hydroxide is a good conductor of an electric current in the:

• A. gaseous state only
• B. molten (fused) state only
• C. solid state only
• D. solid and molten (fused) states
• E. molten (fused) state and in aqueous solution

Answer 1

The correct option is E molten (fused) state and in aqueous solution

Option $\left(E\right)$ is correct.

Potassium hydroxide is a good conductor of an electric current in the molten (fused) state and in aqueous solution. When it is in solid state it cannot conduct electricity but it can conduct electricity in aqueous solution state or molten state. This is because it is an ionic compound. Ionic compounds are made of charged ions which are held tightly in solid state but become mobile in molten or aqueous solution state. The movement of these mobile ions between electrodes helps in conducting electricity.