How does ionic bonding affect conductivity?
1 Answer
Depending on what form is the ionic substance in.
Explanation:
Ionic substances are made up of positively charged cations and negatively charged anions, held in a 3D lattice by strong electrostatic forces of attraction between the ions.
For example, let's look at NaCl (sodium chloride).
Sodium Chloride is made up of positively charged
NaCl (sodium chloride) cannot conduct electricity in a solid form because the charged particles are present BUT held in a FIXED POSITION in the 3D lattice, so they are NOT free to move. Therefore, NaCl cannot conduct electricity in a solid form.
However, NaCl (sodium chloride) can conduct electricity in a liquid and molten form because the charged particles are free to move within the lattice, so NaCl can conduct electricity in a liquid and molten form.
--
This is how we have to answer it for NCEA Level 2 Chemistry.
Hope this answers your question.
