CIA Demonstration: The Conductivity of Molten Salts (12.3.2)

Question 1

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

Answer 1

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

Question 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.

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.