Question

Explain the following:

A solution of cane sugar does not conduct electricity, but a solution of sodium chloride is a good conductor.

Answer 1

We know that the conduction of electricity is due to the movement of ions in the solution. So, if ions are present in a solution the solution will conduct electricity. If a compound cannot produce ions in a liquid state, then it is a bad conductor of electricity.

Complete step by step answer:
Let’s discuss ions in detail. Ions are the chemical species in which there is more or less number of electrons present than the atom in ground state. It may be positively or negatively charged. The positively charged ions are termed as cations and the negatively charged ions are termed as anions.

For example, ${\rm{N}}{{\rm{a}}^ + }$ is a cation. The positive charge indicates that it can lose its one valence electron to attain stable electronic configuration.

${\rm{C}}{{\rm{l}}^ - }$ is an anion. The negative charge indicates that it can accept one electron to attain stable electronic configuration.

Now, come to the question. Two solutions namely, cane sugar and sodium chloride are given. The cane sugar is a compound which cannot produce ions in the solution and we know that for conduction of electricity, ions are required. Therefore, the solution of cane sugar cannot conduct electricity.Sodium chloride is an ionic compound. On dissolving sodium chloride is water, it produces sodium ions and chloride ions. Therefore, sodium chloride solution is a good conductor of electricity.

Note: Always remember that ionic compounds when dissolved in water or in molten states conduct electricity because ions can move from place to place but when they are in solid state, the movement of ions is not possible. So, in solid state ionic compounds are bad conductors of electricity.