Question

Can $NaCl$ conduct electricity?

Answer 1

Sodium chloride, also known as salt, is an ionic compound with the chemical formula $NaCl$ , with a molar mass of $58.443g/mol$ . It is an odorless compound, sodium chloride is essential to maintain the electrolyte balance of fluids.

Complete answer:
In order to conduct electricity a substance must have charged particles, such as electrons and ions. They are free to move freely through it. In the solid state, ionic compounds such as sodium chloride have their ions fixed at a position and therefore these ions cannot move so solid ionic compounds can’t conduct electricity.
However in the molten state, ions in ionic compounds are free to flow and therefore molten sodium chloride can conduct electricity.
Aqueous solution of $NaCl$ conducts electricity because $NaCl$ is an electrolyte, this means it yields ions in solution. Solid $NaCl$ consist of $N{a^ + }$ cations and $C{l^ - }$ anions bound together in a rigid crystal lattice. When it melts or is dissolved in water, the crystal lattice breaks. The ions are now able to move around. Similar to charged particles in a metal conductor, in liquid form or aqueous solution ions are the charged particles that can move, allowing the solution to conduct electricity.
Some may ask, why $NaCl$ dissociate in water? The reason is:
Dissociation of ionic compounds is facilitated by ion-dipole attractions between the ions of the compounds and the polar water molecules. The water molecules (dipoles) are attracted to the ions and cause the crystal lattice to destabilize and ions to dissociate. The charged ions in the solution are surrounded and stabilized by the water molecules (dipoles).
Sodium chloride has been used to flavor and preserve food for thousands of years. Sodium chloride has other uses beyond seasoning and preserving foods. For Example- hospitals use an intravenous sodium chloride solution to supply water and salt to patients to alleviate dehydration. Sodium chloride is also used in industrial manufacturing settings to produce other products like plastic and paper.

Note:
Some ions migrate as ion pairs, but for a strong electrolyte most or all ions will be dissociated and surrounded by water molecules.
When a piece of sodium metal is placed in water, it does react instantly and violently. This is a chemical reaction in which sodium metal is oxidized into sodium cations, and that produce sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas, which can ignite during the reaction. The balanced chemical equation is:
$2Na + 2{H_2}O \to 2NaOH + {H_2}$