Question

Do bases conduct electricity?

Answer 1

Hint: In chemistry, the substances which conduct electricity as a result of a dissociation into its respective positively charged cations and negatively charged anions are known as electrolytes. These ions migrate towards and are discharged at the cathode and anode respectively.

Complete answer:
Both acids and bases exhibit the property of conducting electricity only when they are taken in aqueous solution in which they can completely ionize and generate free ions in the solution which are charge carriers and thus, conduct electricity.
 A base is basically an electrolyte which when dissolved in water gives hydroxide ions i.e., $O{H^ - }$ ions. Let us consider the chemical reaction between water and sodium hydroxide (base) as follows:
$NaOH\xrightarrow{{{H_2}O}}N{a^ + } + O{H^ - } + {\text{heat}}$
As the appreciable amount of heat is released in the reaction, so the dissociation or dissolution of sodium hydroxide is an exothermic reaction. The hydroxide ion formed in the reaction consists of a free electron and is responsible to carry the electric charge in the aqueous solution.
Therefore, we can conclude that the bases do conduct electricity.

Note:
It is important to note that the terms strong and weak describe the tendency of acid and base to conduct electricity. If the acid or base conducts electricity strongly i.e., it is completely ionized in its aqueous solution, then it is considered as a strong acid whereas if the acid or base conducts electricity weakly i.e., it is not completely ionized in the solution, then it is considered as a weak acid or base.