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?

Question

The process of dissolving frees the electrons in the solution to move.
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 closely binds the ions in the solution.

Answer 1

The correct statement that explains why a saltwater solution conducts electricity well is:

The process of dissolving frees the atoms in the solution to move.

When salt (sodium chloride, NaCl) dissolves in water, it dissociates into sodium ions (Na⁺) and chloride ions (Cl⁻). These ions are free to move within the solution, allowing for the conduction of electricity. In contrast, pure water does not have mobile ions, and pure salt does not conduct electricity because it is not in a liquid state where ions are mobile. Thus, the presence of free-moving ions in a saltwater solution enables it to conduct electricity effectively.