1. Electrical Conductivity and Charge Carriers:
* Conductors allow the flow of electric current. This flow is due to the movement of charged particles (charge carriers) within the material.
* Insulators resist the flow of current because they have very few mobile charge carriers.
2. Copper Sulphate in Solution:
* Dissolving: When copper sulphate (CuSO₄) dissolves in water, it breaks down into its constituent ions:
* Cu²⁺ (copper ions)
* SO₄²⁻ (sulphate ions)
* Free Ions: These ions are now free to move around in the solution.
* Charge Carriers: The Cu²⁺ and SO₄²⁻ ions become the charge carriers in the solution.
3. How the Current Flows:
* When an electrical potential difference (voltage) is applied across the solution, these ions move towards the oppositely charged electrodes.
* Cations (Cu²⁺) move towards the negative electrode (cathode).
* Anions (SO₄²⁻) move towards the positive electrode (anode).
* This movement of ions constitutes an electric current.
4. Solid Copper Sulphate:
* No Free Ions: In solid copper sulphate, the ions are tightly bound in a crystal lattice. They are not free to move, so there are no charge carriers.
* Insulator: As a result, solid copper sulphate acts as an insulator.
In summary:
Aqueous copper sulphate solution conducts electricity because it contains free ions that act as charge carriers, allowing the flow of current. Solid copper sulphate does not conduct electricity because its ions are fixed in a crystal lattice and cannot move.
