Question

In ionic solids, the oppositely charged ions are closely packed in space and have strong electrostatic forces of attraction. These compound have high melting and boiling points and are poor conductors of electricity in the solid state.
(i) Why are ionic solids poor conductros of electricity ?
(ii) What happens to electrical conductivity when these are dissolved in water ?

Answer 1

(i) In the ionic compounds, the electrical conductivity is due to the mobility of ions. Since the ions can hardly move in the solid state, ionic solids are poor conductors of electricity.
(ii) When the ionic solids are dissolved in water, the ions get separted and acquire mobility. As a result, they become good conductors of electricity.