Question

Why do ionic compounds make good conductors when dissolved in water?

A. The ions are free to move in water and carry an electric charge.
B. They carry more electrons than protons, giving the water a net
negative charge.
C. They carry more protons than electrons, giving the water a net
positive charge.
D. The ions bind with the water molecules, giving the molecules a net
charge.

Answer 1

The correct answer is A. The ions in an ionic compound dissociate when dissolved in water, becoming free to move and carry an electric charge. This is because water molecules are polar, meaning they have a positive and negative end. The positive end of the water molecule is attracted to the negatively charged ions, while the negative end is attracted to the positively charged ions. This causes the ions to become separated from each other and to become surrounded by water molecules. The resulting solution contains ions that can move freely and carry an electric charge, making it a good conductor of electricity.