Question

Assertion (A): Although solid ionic compounds are made up of ions but they do not conduct electric current in the solid state. Ionic solids conduct electricity when dissolved in water or when melted.

Reason (R): In solid ionic compounds, the ions are held together in fixed positions by strong electrostatic forces and cannot move freely. When an ionic solid is dissolved in water or melted, the crystal structure is broken down and ions become free to move and hence conduct electricity.

Options

• Both A and R are true and R is correct explanation of the assertion.

• Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of the assertion.

• A is true but R is false.

• A is false but R is true.

Answer 1

Both A and R are true and R is correct explanation of the assertion.

Explanation:

Assertion (A) accurately states that ionic compounds only conduct electricity when molten or dissolved since their ions are locked in a rigid lattice while solid, and reason (R) provides the perfect scientific explanation by clarifying that melting or dissolution breaks down these strong electrostatic forces, freeing the ions to move and carry an electric current.