Which of the following can conduct electricity; a #"1.0 M"# aqueous solution of sodium bromide, solid sodium chloride, or deionized water?

1 Answer
Meave60
Sep 30, 2017

The #"1.0 M"# aqueous solution of sodium bromide.

Explanation:

Sodium bromide is an ionic compound. Ionic compounds can only conduct electricity if they dissociate into their individual cations and anions in an aqueous solution, or if they are in the molten state. This is because the ions are in motion and form an electric current.

Therefore, aqueous sodium bromide will conduct electricity, because it dissociates into sodium cations #("Na"^+")#, and bromide anions, #("Br"^-")#. However, solid sodium chloride will not conduct electricity.

Deionized water has no ions, so it will not conduct electricity.

Note: Not all ionic compounds dissociate in water. They are insoluble in water.

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