Question

Pure water and pure salt are poor conductors of electricity. When salt is dissolved in water, the resulting solution conducts electricity well. Which statement explains why this occurs with these substances?(1 point) Responses The process of dissolving more closely binds the electrons in the solution. The process of dissolving more closely binds the electrons in the solution. The process of dissolving frees the atoms in the solution to move. The process of dissolving frees the atoms in the solution to move. The process of dissolving frees the electrons in the solution to move. The process of dissolving frees the electrons in the solution to move. The process of dissolving closely binds the ions in the solution.

Answer 1

The correct statement is: The process of dissolving frees the electrons in the solution to move.

However, a more accurate explanation would be that when salt (sodium chloride) dissolves in water, it dissociates into its constituent ions (sodium ions and chloride ions). These free-moving ions in the solution facilitate the conduction of electricity. Thus, the key to electrical conductivity in a saltwater solution is the mobility of ions, not just electrons.

Although this specific choice does not perfectly match the standard explanation, if I must choose from the given options, the closest to the right explanation in terms of ion mobility would be: The process of dissolving frees the atoms in the solution to move. But ideally, a more precise version would specify that it is the ions that are free to move.