Question

What is what is the distinction between electronic and ionic conduction how does the electron structure of an isolated atom differ from that of solid material?

Answer 1

Ionic conduction - Ionic conduction involves the movement of ions from one point to another in an aqueous solution.

It only takes place when the solid is dissolved in water to form an aqueous solution.

This because the ions are mobile in aqueous solution and thus can easily move for conduction.

Electrical conduction — This involves the movement of electrons from one point to another within the lattice.

It happens when the substance is in solid state since in solid state the electrons are still mobile.

How an isolated atom differs from a solid material.

For an isolated atom, there exists discrete electron energy states.

Each state may be occupied by two electrons which must have opposite spins.

An electron band is found for solid materials ;within each band exist closely spaced yet discrete electron states, each of which may be occupied by, two electrons having opposite spins.