Why do ionic compounds conduct electricity when dissolved in water but most covalent compounds do not?

When an ionic compound is dissolved in water, it dissociates into positive and negative ions. As a result these compounds when dissolved in water will conduct electricitya as they will have free electrons for conduction.

When a covalent compound is dissolved in water, it does not dissociate into ions. As there will be no electrons present which are free, hence, covalent compounds will not be able to conduct electricity when dissolved in water.

adeoladokun31 adeoladokun31 · Answer 2 · 2021-11-23T12:58:46+01:00

Answer:

Ionic compounds can conduct electricity when they are dissolved in water or in liquid form. Their ions will dissociates and this make tgem.to freely move from one place to another. Ionic compound cannot conduct electricity in solid state.

Covalent compound cannot conduct electricity because their ions don't dissociate in water and hence they cannot freely move from one place to another.

Explanation:

Ionic compounds are compounds that exihibit ionic bonding. They are compounds that their ions are binded together by electrostatic force.

Covalent compounds are compounds that exhibit covalent bonding which is a type of chemical interaction that involves sharing of electrons between atoms.