answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

When an ionic compound is melted or dissolved in water to form an aqueous solution, it can conduct electricity. This is because the ions are free to move in the molten state while in the solid state ions are not mobile.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

Ions are positive and negative particles. An ionic crystal is a solid made of a combination of positive and negative ions. As a solid, the ions are held in place and cannot move. However, when the solid dissolves, the positive and negative ions move apart and mix with the liquid (almost always water). Now, the ions are free to move around and moving charge is electricity, thus ionic solutions conduct electricity.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

In the molten state the ions are free to move and they move between the lectrodes.

In solution they are free to move between the electrodes

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why do ionic solids conduct electricity in liquid?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Does ionic compounds conduct in electricity?

Ionic compounds will not conduct electricity as solids, which is what they are at room temperature. However, they will conduct electricity if molten or dissolved in water.


What type of substance can conduct electricity in the liquid but not solid phase?

Most ionic solids cannot conduct electricity in the solid phase. They only do so in the liquid phase. While they are solid, the ions in the ionic solid are fixed in their lattice so cannot move to conduct electricity whereas in the liquid phase, the ions are free and mobile and can act as charge carriers for electricity.


Why does potassium chloride conduct electricity?

Potassium chloride is an ionic solid, the ionic solids can conduct the electricity if they are in molten state or in aqueous solution.


Why does liquid KCl conduct electricity?

ionic compound


How does electrostatic attraction relate to ionic solids and bonding?

Ionic bonding refers to the electrostatic attraction between cations and anions. Ionic solids do not conduct electricity (they are insulators).


What are properties of ionic bond?

Ionic bonds are generally solids, with high melting and boiling points. They form crystals, are soluble in water, and only conduct electricity in liquid state. They donate/receive electrons to form bonds.


Can water conduct electricity in solid state?

No. Water can only conduct electricity in its liquid state with dissolved ionic solutes.


Do materials with ionic bonds conduct electricity in a solid and liquid state?

Materials with ionic bonds normally conduct electricity only in a liquid state. However metals, which have what are sometimes called "delocalized" ionic bonds, also conduct electricity in the solid state. It is now customary to consider metallic bonds a separate class from both ionic and covalent bonds.


What type of compounds can exist as liquids solids or gases?

Ionic compounds conduct electricity as liquids and in solution.


What could you do to determine whether an unknown solid is an ionic compound or a molecular solid?

In the laboratory you could determine if a solid has an ionic bond or a metallic bond by trying to run a current through it. Metal solids have delocalized electrons and conduct electricity well. Ionic solids will not conduct electricity unless dissolved.


How does ionic bonding affect the properties of the elements involved?

Properties of ionic compounds:High melting/boiling pointsGiant regular crystalline structuresolubledoes not conduct electricity when soliddoes conduct electricity as a solution or liquid


When can an ionic compound conduct electricity?

An ionic compound can conduct electricity when it is in solution or melted.