Question

Which of the following is a good conductor of electricity?
A) Sugar solution
B) Oil
C) Distilled water
D) Tap water

Answer 1

Hint: The materials that allow the passage of electricity easily through them are known as good conductors of electricity. The materials that do not allow the passage of electricity easily through them are known as bad conductors of electricity.

Complete answer:
A) Consider a sugar solution. A sugar solution is formed when sugar is dissolved in water. When sugar is dissolved in water, sugar does not dissociate into ions. Thus, a sugar solution contains only neutral molecules of sugar and water. The neutral molecules do not have any charge and thus, do not conduct electricity.
Thus, sugar solution is a bad conductor of electricity.
B) Consider oil. An oil is a mixture of fats and fatty acids. The molecules of fats and fatty acids are neutral. Thus, oil contains neutral molecules. The neutral molecules do not have any charge and thus, do not conduct electricity.
Thus, oil is a bad conductor of electricity.
C) Consider distilled water. Distilled water does not contain any ions or impurities. Thus, distilled water only contains neutral molecules of water. The neutral molecules do not have any charge and thus, do not conduct electricity.
Thus, distilled water is a bad conductor of electricity.
D) Consider tap water. Tap water contains many ions and impurities. Thus, tap water only contains ions that are capable of conducting electricity.
Thus, tap water is a good conductor of electricity.

Thus, the correct option is (D) tap water.

Note: The good conductors conduct electricity because the electrons flow easily inside them from one atom to another atom. Conductors of electricity also conduct heat and light.