Why does solid sodium chloride not conduct electricity?
A) It has no ions.
B) It is a good conductor of electricity.
C) It is a liquid at room temperature.
D) It contains too many electrons.
Correct Answer:
A) It has no ions.
Explanation:
Solid sodium chloride does not conduct electricity because it consists of a regular crystalline lattice structure of sodium ions (Na+) and chloride ions (Cl-), but these ions are held in fixed positions and cannot move to carry an electric current. In the solid state, the ions are not free to flow, making it a non-conductor of electricity.