12.3.2 CIA Demonstration: The Conductivity of Molten Salts

Question 1

CIA Demonstration: The Conductivity of Molten Salts

Answer 1

• Ionic solids do not conduct electricity; molten ionic compounds do conduct electricity

Question 2

note

Answer 2

• Ionic solids do not conduct electricity. For example, solid lithium chloride does not conduct electricity—the circuit is incomplete, so the light bulb remains off.
• When in the solid state, the ions are in fixed positions, and therefore do not carry electric current.
• Molten ionic compounds do conduct electricity. For example, molten lithium chloride conducts electricity—the circuit is completed, and the light bulb turns on.
• When molten, the ions are free to move. This movement allows for the conduction of electricity.