EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -In molten state or dissolved state ionic compounds conduct electricity because they contain charged particles called cations and anions. These ions are free to move to conduct electricity. There are plenty of free ions in the molten state or dissolved state which are able to conduct electric current.

Detailed explanation-2: -Ionic compounds conduct electricity when molten (liquid) or in aqueous solution (dissolved in water), because their ions are free to move from place to place. Ionic compounds cannot conduct electricity when solid, as their ions are held in fixed positions and cannot move.

Detailed explanation-3: -Ionic compounds transmit electricity when they are molten because the heat applied to the ionic solid to transform it from a solid state to a liquid state overcomes the electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions.

Detailed explanation-4: -Electrolytes are substances which conduct electricity in both molten state and aqueous solution. Acids, alkalis, and salts are electrolytes in the molten and aqueous state.

Detailed explanation-5: -But in molten and aqueous state the electrons are free to move as the molecules break and dissociate into ions. So, ionic compounds conduct electricity only in molten and aqueous state but not in solid state.