Why does molten Mgl2 conducts an electic current although crystalline MgCl2 does not?
2007-12-27 06:23:20 · 3 answers · asked by Toolegit 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Do you possibly mean when it is disolved in water instead of molten? Magnesium Chloride has a melting point of 987° K (1317° F).
Magnesium Chloride is water soluble. When it disolves, it dissociates into the positive Mg and negative Cl ions. These opposite charges that are now present and moving around in the water allow it to conduct electricity which could not be done in the solid structure when the Mg and Cl were bonded together.
2007-12-27 10:15:31 · answer #1 · answered by Now and Then Comes a Thought 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In a crystal, the ions are fixed in place.
In the molten liquid their mobility allows
the transmission of current.
2007-12-27 17:17:36 · answer #2 · answered by Irv S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am going to take a guess and say that the liquid is more conducive to electron flow than the solid.
2007-12-27 16:01:55 · answer #3 · answered by Lady Geologist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋