Chapter 12, Problem 72A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Whether sugar or salt will conduct electricity needs to be determined.

Concept introduction:

Molecular crystalline solids are made up of molecules. These molecules have dispersion, dipole-dipole and hydrogen bonding. All these intermolecular forces are weaker than ionic bonding. Thus, molecular solids are soft and they are poor conductor of heat and electricity.

Ionic crystalline solids have positive and negative ions. These ions have ion-ion attraction which is stronger than other intermolecular interactions. Thus, they are good conductor of heat and electricity.

Answer to Problem 72A

Salt solution will conduct electricity.

Explanation of Solution

When dissolved in water, sugar molecules do not dissociate into ions thus, sugar solution does not conduct electricity.

When salt solution is dissolved in water, it gets dissociate into Na+ and Cl- ions. Due to the presence of ions in the solution, salt solution is good conductor of electricity.

Conclusion

Thus, salt solution will conduct electricity.