Why do solutions of acids and bases conduct electricity?
Answers
Solutions of acids and bases conduct electricity.
As per Arrhenius’ definition, acids have the property of producing Hydrogen ion (H+) when dissolved in water wherein bases have the property of producing Hydroxide ion (OH-) when dissolved in water.
Those ions when in water react as electrical charge carriers hence acids and bases conduct electricity.
Acids and bases are capable of separating into cations and anions.
Explanation:
To conduct electricity, we require charged particles. Acids produce the positively charged hydrogen ions (H^+ ) when dissolved in water while bases produce the negatively charged hydroxide ions (OH^- ).
Acids can be proton donors or electron acceptors; contrarily bases can be proton acceptors or electron donors. These ions, when in water, act as charge carriers and can hence conduct electricity. Electrolyte is the term that denotes a substance that conducts electricity when dissolved in water.