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Lesson: Chapter 10 — Chemical Bonds

10.5. Properties of ionic and covalent compounds 5 of 10

Question 5

Does molten sodium chloride conduct electricity?

The right answer is the one marked above.

Yes, because melting frees the ions to move. Once the lattice has broken down the ions can travel, which is all a current requires.

Water is not necessary — dissolving is simply another way of freeing the ions. And ionic compounds conduct perfectly well in two of their three states; it is only the solid that does not.

Answer the question to continue.