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The Solid State

Question
CBSEENCH12005526
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Give reasons for the following:
Ionic solids, inspite of being made up of ions, do not conduct electricity.

Solution

Solid ionic compounds do not conduct electricity because the ions (charged particles) are locked into a rigid lattice or array. The ions cannot move out of the lattice, so the solid cannot conduct electricity.

When molten, the ions are free to move out of the lattice structure.

 

  • Cations (positive ions) move towards the negative electrode (cathode) 
    M+ + e -----> M

     

  • Anions (negative ions) move towards the positive electrode (anode) 
    X- -----> X + e

When an ionic solid is dissolved in water to form an aqueous solution, the ions are released from the lattice structure and are free to move so the solution conducts electricity just like the molten (liquid) ionic compound.

Some More Questions From The Solid State Chapter

Solid A is a very hard, electrical insulator in solid as well as in molten state and melts at extremely high temperature. What type of solid is it?

Ionic solids conduct electricity in liquid state but not in solid state. Explain.

What type of solids are electrical conductors, malleable and ductile?

Give the significance of a 'lattice point'.

Name the parameters that characterize a unit cell.

Distinguish between Hexagonal and monoclinic unit cells.

Distinguish between Face-centred and end-centred unit cells.

What is the two-dimensional coordination number of a molecule in square close packed layer ?

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