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Why can ionic compounds conduct electricity in the molten state but not in the solid state?
AElectrons flow freely in the solid state
BIons are destroyed in the solid state
CIons become mobile only when molten
DMolten compounds release free protons
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Ions become mobile only when molten
1. Electrical conduction needs charge carriers that are free to move.
2. In the solid state the ions are locked in fixed lattice positions and cannot move.
3. With no mobile charge carriers, the solid cannot conduct electricity.
4. In the molten state the lattice breaks and the ions become free to move, so they carry current.
5. Option saying electrons flow freely in the solid is wrong, as ionic solids have no free electrons.
6. Option saying ions are destroyed is wrong, since the ions remain intact, only their mobility changes.
7. Option about free protons is wrong, as conduction here is by ions, not protons.
_Source: Balbharati (Maharashtra Board) Class 10 Science & Technology, Ch 8 "Metallurgy", p.108_
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