9.1.3 CIA Demonstration: Conductivity Apparatus-Ionic versus Covalent Bonds

Question 1

CIA Demonstration: Conductivity Apparatus-Ionic versus Covalent Bonds

Answer 1

• Ionic compounds that are soluble in water enable conduction of electricity.
• Covalent compounds (molecules) do not conduct electricity even when soluble in water.

Question 2

note

Answer 2

• Water molecules contain polar covalent bonds. Pure water does not conduct electricity. Because water is a
  polar molecule, ionic compounds dissociate readily in water.
• When an ionic compound such as sodium chloride dissolves in water, the ions leave the crystal and move into solution. The ions permit passage of an electric current.
• Sucrose contains only covalent bonds. It does not dissociate into ions. Therefore, sucrose does not conduct electric current.
• Ethanol contains only covalent bonds and also does not conduct electric current.
• Drain cleaner contains both sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO). Since both substances contain ionic bonds and dissociate into ions in water, the solution made by mixing drain cleaner with water conducts electric current.