ExpertEasy1 markShort Answer
AQA GCSE · Question 07.2 · Chemical changes
Give one reason why molten sodium chloride conducts electricity. Refer to ions in your answer.
Give one reason why molten sodium chloride conducts electricity. Refer to ions in your answer.
How to approach this question
For a substance to conduct electricity, it must contain charged particles that are free to move. In solid sodium chloride, the ions are charged but held in fixed positions. What happens to the ions when the sodium chloride melts?
Full Answer
In solid ionic compounds like sodium chloride, the ions (Na⁺ and Cl⁻) are held in fixed positions within the giant ionic lattice. Although they are charged, they cannot move, so solid sodium chloride does not conduct electricity. When it is melted, the strong electrostatic forces are overcome, and the ions are free to move and carry an electrical current.
Common mistakes
✗ Just saying "it contains ions" - this is also true for the solid.\n✗ Mentioning electrons - conduction in ionic compounds is due to the movement of ions, not electrons.
Practice the full AQA GCSE Chemistry Foundation Tier Paper 1
58 questions · hints · full answers · grading
More questions from this exam
Q01.1This question is about atoms. Atoms contain three types of particle: electrons, neutrons, and pro...EasyQ01.2Which particles have the same relative mass?EasyQ01.3The formula of a compound is N₂O. How many of each type of atom are in one molecule of N₂O?EasyQ01.4An atom of element Z contains 3 electrons and 3 protons. Give the name of element Z. Use the peri...EasyQ01.5An atom of element Z contains: 3 electrons, 4 neutrons, 3 protons. Complete the diagram to show t...Medium