Question

Explain why sodium chloride in water conducts an electric current while solid sodium chloride does not.

Name the conjugate base of the following acids:a. NH4^+b. HCO3^-1c. HNO3d. H2S

Answer 1

There are two keys to conducting electricity. There must be
1) charged particles
and
2) the charged particles must be free to move

In the case of any form of sodium chloride there are charged particles (the positive and negative ions). However, in solid NaCl the charged particles are locked in place in the crystal lattice and not able to move, and thus solid NaCl does not conduct electricity. When the NaCl melts, or dissolves in water, the crystal lattice breaks down and the charged particles are able to move, allowing electricity to be conducted.

a) NH₃                b) HCO₃^---                   c)NO₃^---        d)HS^---