Question

Give reason for the following:

Ionic compounds conduct electricity in molten state

Answer 1

Ionic compounds:

• The compounds that are made of ions formed by losing and gaining electrons are called Ionic compounds.
• Examples include- $\mathrm{NaCl},{\mathrm{MgCl}}_2$ etc.
• In Ionic compounds, conduction of electricity occurs by the movement of ions.
• The ions are held together by a strong electrostatic force of attraction between cations and anions of an Ionic compound and thus these ions cannot be moved in solid-state.
• Whereas in molten or liquid form, the force of inter ionic attraction breaks, and the ions are free to move and can conduct electricity.

Therefore, Ionic compounds conduct electricity in a molten state as the constituent ions are free to move in the presence of an electric field