Question

Potassium chloride is an electrovalent compound, while hydrogen chloride is a covalent compound. But, both conducts electricity in their aqueous solutions. Explain.

Answer 1

Potassium chloride is an electrovalent compound and conducts electricity in the molten or aqueous state because the electrostatic forces of attraction weaken in the fused state or in aqueous solution.

\[\ce{\underset{(aq.)}{KCl}<=> \underset{(aq.)}{K+} + Cl-}\]

Polar covalent compounds like hydrogen chloride ionise in their solutions and can act as electrolytes. Thus, both can conduct electricity in their aqueous solutions.

\[\ce{HCl + H2O <=> H3O+ + Cl-}\]