Question

What happens when common salt is heated?

Answer 1

    When common salt is heated the white crystalline solid power remains as it is. Common salt is a crystalline compound. It contains Sodium and Chlorine ions fixed and bonded strongly within a crystalline structure. The ions do not move. The heat does not do anything, as their bonds are strong.  Salt powder (solid) does not conduct electricity.

    But as the temperature is nearly 800 deg. C, the salt reddens and melts into a liquid. It is called molten salt. In the liquid phase, the ions are mobile. So the compound dissociates into Na+ and Cl- ions. The liquid behaves like any other liquid.

   At around 1400 deg. C , salt boils into vapour.