Josh utilizes a conductivity tester to examine three solutions, as depicted in the image.
He evaluates a solution containing salt, another containing sugar, and a solution with alcohol. Among these solutions, if any, which one conducts electricity, and what is the reason behind it?
The sugar solution is conductive to electricity as a result of containing sugar ions that transport electric charge within water.
The salt solution is capable of conducting electricity due to the presence of salt ions that facilitate the transmission of electric charge through water.
None of the solutions demonstrate electrical conductivity as they lack ions capable of transporting electricity in water.
The alcohol solution exhibits electrical conductivity because it contains alcohol ions that facilitate the transmission of electricity in water.
The correct answer is: None of the solutions demonstrate electrical conductivity as they lack ions capable of transporting electricity in water.
Among these solutions, the one that conducts electricity is the salt solution. It contains salt ions that can transport electric charge within water, allowing the solution to conduct electricity. The sugar solution and the alcohol solution do not conduct electricity because they lack ions capable of carrying an electric charge in water.
To determine which solution conducts electricity, Josh used a conductivity tester. This device measures the ability of a substance to conduct an electric current. When an electric current passes through a solution, it is typically carried by charged particles called ions.
In the case of the sugar solution, it was found to be conductive to electricity. This is because sugar, while not typically considered an electrolyte, can ionize when dissolved in water. The sugar molecules break apart into charged particles called ions, such as glucose and fructose ions, which can carry electric charge through the water solution.
Similarly, the salt solution was found to conduct electricity. Salt, or sodium chloride, is an electrolyte that readily dissolves in water. When it dissolves, it dissociates into sodium ions (Na+) and chloride ions (Cl-). These ions are capable of moving freely within the water solution and thus allow for the transmission of electric charge.
On the other hand, the alcohol solution did not conduct electricity. Alcohol, such as ethanol, does not typically ionize when dissolved in water. It does not dissociate into charged particles that can carry electric charge, thus making it a poor conductor of electricity.
So, to summarize, the sugar and salt solutions conduct electricity because of the presence of ions (sugar ions and salt ions) that can transport electric charge through water. The alcohol solution, however, does not contain ions capable of carrying electric charge, and thus is not conductive to electricity.