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

1. The+process+of+dissolving+closely+binds+the+ions+in+the+solution.
2.The+process+of+dissolving+more+closely+binds+the+electrons+in+the+solution.
3. The+process+of+dissolving+frees+the+electrons+in+the+solution+to+move.
4. The+process+of+dissolving+frees+the+atoms+in+the+solution+to+move.

Answer 1

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

1. The process of dissolving closely binds the ions in the solution.

When salt (sodium chloride, NaCl) is dissolved in water, the ionic bonds between the sodium ions (Na⁺) and chloride ions (Cl⁻) are broken, and the ions are free to move in the solution. This movement of charged ions allows the solution to conduct electricity effectively. The other options do not accurately describe the behavior of ions and electrons in the solution.