Question

Solid table salt, NaCl


Sugar sports drinks such as Gatorade


Solid calcium carbonate, CaCO3
limestone


Dissolved table salt, Na+ + Cl−


Dissolved oxygen gas, O2

either a conductor or insulator

Answer 1

To determine whether the substances you listed are conductors or insulators, we can analyze each one based on its state (solid or dissolved) and its ionic or molecular nature:

1. **Solid table salt (NaCl)**: Insulator. In solid form, NaCl is a crystalline ionic compound and does not conduct electricity because the ions are fixed in place.

2. **Sugar sports drinks (such as Gatorade)**: Insulator. Sugar is a molecular compound that does not dissociate into ions when dissolved in water, so it does not conduct electricity.

3. **Solid calcium carbonate (CaCO3, limestone)**: Insulator. Similar to solid NaCl, solid CaCO3 is an ionic compound but does not conduct electricity in its solid state due to the fixed positions of the ions.

4. **Dissolved table salt (Na⁺ + Cl⁻)**: Conductor. When NaCl is dissolved in water, it dissociates into free ions (Na⁺ and Cl⁻), which can move freely and carry electric current.

5. **Dissolved oxygen gas (O₂)**: Insulator. Gaseous oxygen does not dissociate into ions in solution and therefore does not conduct electricity.

### Summary:
- Solid NaCl: Insulator
- Sugar sports drinks (Gatorade): Insulator
- Solid CaCO3: Insulator
- Dissolved NaCl: Conductor
- Dissolved O₂: Insulator

In conclusion, dissolved NaCl is the only substance in your list that acts as a conductor, while the others are insulators.