Question

Which of the following solutions will conduct electricity most effectively?

• A. Glucose solution
• B. Urea solution
• C. Sodium chloride solution
• D. Sugar solution

Hint:

Strong electrolytes completely ionize in water and conduct electricity efficiently. Examples: \[ NaCl,\ HCl,\ KOH \] Non-electrolytes like sugar and glucose do not produce ions.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
For an aqueous liquid solution to conduct an electric current, it must fulfill a fundamental physical requirement: it must contain free-floating, mobile charged particles (ions) that can migrate toward oppositely charged electrodes when an external voltage is applied. Chemical solutes are categorized into two primary groups based on how they behave when dissolved in water: electrolytes and non-electrolytes.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's analyze how each of the given substances behaves when dissolved in an aqueous solution: - Glucose ($\text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6$), Urea ($\text{NH}_2\text{CONH}_2$), and Sugar/Sucrose ($\text{C}_{12}\text{H}_{22}\text{O}_{11}$): These substances are organic molecular compounds held together entirely by covalent bonds. When mixed into water, they dissolve as intact, neutral whole molecules. Because they do not break apart or dissociate into ions, their solutions contain no mobile electric charges. Consequently, they act as non-electrolytes and cannot conduct electricity. This rules out options (A), (B), and (D). - Sodium chloride ($\text{NaCl}$): This substance is a classic ionic crystal lattice composed of metal cations and non-metal anions. When added to water, the polar water molecules surround and pull apart the lattice structure in a process called dissociation: $$ \text{NaCl}_{(s)} \xrightarrow{\text{H}_2\text{O}} \text{Na}^+_{(aq)} + \text{Cl}^-_{(aq)} $$ This dissociation releases a high concentration of highly mobile sodium cations ($\text{Na}^+$) and chloride anions ($\text{Cl}^-$) directly into the liquid. These free-roaming ions move easily through the solution to carry an electric current, making it an excellent strong electrolyte. Therefore, the sodium chloride solution is the only option that conducts electricity effectively. This matches option (C).
Step 3: Final Answer:
The solution that will conduct electricity most effectively is the Sodium chloride solution.