Why does an ionic compound (e.g. NaCl) conduct electricity when molten or dissolved in water, but not when it is a solid.
When an ionic compound is a solid, the ions in the ionic lattice are held together by ionic bonds. Due to this, the ions are not free to move around and so cannot carry a charge. When the ionic compound is molten, or dissolved in water, the ions are free to move around and carry a charge. This allows the ions to carry a charge when molten or dissolved in water.
AH
Related Chemistry A Level answers
All answers ▸Draw the structure of chlorine pentafluoride (ClF5) according to the VSEPR theory
What is Ionisation Energy and the three factors that affect it? 2)State and explain the general trend in first ionisation energies for the Period 3 elements.
Why do branch chained isomers have lower boiling point than straight chain equivalents?
Explain why xenon has a lower first ionization energy than neon.