Question

Which one of the following solution will conduct electricity:
A. Sugar in water
B. Sugar in ethyl alcohol
C. Iodine in ethyl alcohol
D. Magnesium chloride water

Answer 1

Hint: An electrolyte is any salt or ionizable molecule that, when dissolved in solution, will give that solution the ability to conduct electricity. All metal ions are conductive in all solvents.

Complete step-by-step answer:
An electrolyte solution has the ability to conduct electricity because when a salt dissolves, its dissociated ions can move freely in solution, allowing a charge to flow. Electrolyte solutions are normally formed when a salt is placed into a solvent such as water. Metals are excellent conductors of electricity because the atoms in a metal form a matrix through which their outer electrons can move freely. When a solution conducts electricity, the charge is carried by ions moving through the solution. So, all electrolytic solutions or solutions which have metal ions conduct electricity.

“D” is the correct answer because Magnesium chloride ionizes to form ions. Hence, it will conduct electricity.
“A” is incorrect because sugar is not an electrolyte and does not dissociate into ions, so it will not conduct electricity.
“B” is incorrect because sugar does not dissociate into ions in ethyl alcohol because it is not an electrolyte or salt.
“C” is incorrect because iodine is not an electrolyte and it does not ionize in any solution.

Note: All metals conduct electricity but there are some less conductive and some more conductive metals. There are some non conductive solutions when these solutions are placed under a strong electric field then they show electric conductivity.