Explain the following: NaCl is not a conductor of electricity in solid state whereas it does conduct electricity in aqueous solution as well as in molten state.
The conduction of electricity is due to movement of ions. In the solid state, Na+ and Cl– are fixed and not free to move. Hence, it does not conduct electricity. In the aqueous solution or in the molten state, Na+ and Cl– ions are free to move about and hence conduct electricity.
