* Salt (NaCl): Salt is an ionic compound. When dissolved in water, it dissociates into positively charged sodium ions (Na+) and negatively charged chloride ions (Cl-). These free ions can carry an electrical current, making the solution conductive.
* Sugar (C12H22O11): Sugar is a covalent compound. When dissolved in water, it does not break down into ions. Instead, it forms sugar molecules that are neutral. These molecules cannot carry an electrical current, making the sugar solution non-conductive.
The Experiment:
1. Materials: You'll need a simple circuit with a battery, a light bulb, and two wires connected to the bulb. You'll also need two beakers, salt, sugar, and distilled water.
2. Procedure:
* Control: Place the wires into the distilled water. The light bulb should not light up. Distilled water has very few ions and is a poor conductor.
* Salt: Dissolve some salt in water. Place the wires into the salt solution. The light bulb should light up. The ions in the salt solution carry the current.
* Sugar: Dissolve some sugar in water. Place the wires into the sugar solution. The light bulb should not light up. The sugar solution lacks free ions to carry the current.
Conclusion: The ability of a solution to conduct electricity is a reliable indicator of whether it contains dissolved ions. Salt solutions conduct electricity, while sugar solutions do not.
