2007-02-27 10:30:08 · 4 answers · asked by roger s 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
NaCl alone does not conduct electricity because it has ionic bonds and is therefore strongly bonded (its electrons are so "busy" in bonding that it has no time to conduct electricity). In a metal, say aluminum (Al), conductivity occurs because there is a sea of mobile electrons and electricity is therefore able to flow from electron to electron. In NaCl this is not so. In order for NaCl to conduct electricity, it must be separated into its ions, Na+ and Cl-, by being dissolved in water. Once they are separated, Na+ and Cl- are able to conduct and carry electricity. (This is different from the conduction of electricity in aluminum because instead of electrons carrying the electricity, ions are.)
2007-02-27 10:51:45 · answer #1 · answered by ask.joseph 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Conductivity requires a flow of electrons. In NaCl crystals, the "lattice" is so tight that the electrons cannot flow.
If you melt the NaCl, or dissolve in water, then the electricity will conduct.
2007-02-27 18:35:07 · answer #2 · answered by reb1240 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they don't conduct electricity because the electrons are occupied in holding the structure together. IN water though, the Na and Cl become ions which do conduct electricity
2007-02-27 18:35:51 · answer #3 · answered by musicpetlover 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are crystals and held fast, no mobil sea of electrons
2007-02-27 18:34:05 · answer #4 · answered by burninhotboi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋