Does calcium chloride conduct electricity? In this article, I’ll help you to find out the answer.
We are familiar with sodium chloride or table salt but not calcium chloride. Both calcium chloride and sodium chloride are metal chlorides. However, calcium and sodium (or any other metal chloride) have different chemical characteristics, which can be confusing. The chemistry of metal chlorides is vital to understanding how ions conduct electricity.
In general, when a grain of salt dissolves, its dissociated ions (of the respective constituent elements in the salt – Calcium and chlorine ions, for our case) are free to move in solution, enabling a charge to flow. Because it has ions, the obtained solution will conduct an electrical current.
More details are below.
Is Calcium Chloride a Good Conductor of Electricity?
Calcium chloride is a good conductor of electricity when it is molten. Calcium chloride is a poor heat conductor. It has a boiling point of 1935°C. It is hygroscopic and soaks up moisture from the air.
Why Does a Calcium Chloride Solution Conduct Electricity?
Calcium Chloride Solutions Contain Mobile Ions Which Transfer Charge or Electricity.
When salt dissolves, its dissociated ions (of the respective constituent elements in the salt – Calcium and chlorine ions, for our case) are free to move in solution, enabling a charge to flow. Because it has ions, the obtained solution will conduct an electrical current.
Calcium chloride solid; negative results.
Calcium chloride solution; positive results.
Why Does Sodium Chloride (NaCl) Have a High Conductivity?
Water and other highly polar compounds dissolve NaCl. Water molecules surround every cation (positive charge) and anion (negative charge). Each ion is engulfed in six water molecules.
Ionic compounds in the solid state, such as NaCl, have their ions localized in position and thus cannot move. So solid ionic compounds can’t conduct electricity. Ions in ionic compounds are mobile or free to flow in a molten state so molten NaCl can conduct electricity.
Why Does Calcium Chloride (CaCl) Conduct More Electricity Than Sodium Chloride (NaCl)?
Calcium Chloride Has More Ions (3) than Sodium Chloride (2).
Because NaCl has two ions and CaCl2 has three ions. CaCl is the most concentrated and hence has the highest conductivity. NaCl is the least concentrated (compared with CaCl) and has the lowest conductivity.
Sodium Chloride vs. Calcium Chloride
In a nutshell, alkaline salt compounds include calcium chloride and sodium chloride. Both of these compounds contain chloride ions but in different proportions. The primary distinction between calcium chloride and sodium chloride salts is that each calcium chloride molecule contains two chlorine atoms, whereas each sodium chloride molecule contains one.
FAQs
Why Does Sodium Chloride Conduct Electricity only In a Molten State?
There are no free electrons in an ionic compound, such as NaCl chloride. Strong electrostatic forces bind the electrons together in bonds. Thus, sodium chloride doesn’t conduct electricity in solid form. So, the presence of mobile ions is responsible for the conductivity of NaCl in its molten state.
Calcium Chloride or Sodium Chloride Is Preferable for Melting Ice?
Calcium chloride (CaCl) can melt ice at -20°F, which is lower than the melting temperature of any other ice melt product. NaCl only melts down to 20°F. And during winter, most northern states in the United States see temperatures drop below 20°F.
Is Calcium Chloride a Natural Hygroscopic Substance?
Calcium chloride anhydrous or Calcium dichloride, I t’s a chlorine-calcium ionic compound. It has a crystalline solid white color at ambient temperature. (298 K). It is hygroscopic because it is highly soluble in water.
What Are the Factors that Influence Solubility? Consider the Following Question: Is Calcium Chloride More Soluble than Barium Chloride?
Conductivity is determined by ion mobility, and smaller ions are more mobile in general.
When they mention water molecules, they most likely refer to hydration layers.
Take a look at some of our related articles below.
- Does nitrogen conduct electricity
- Does isopropyl alcohol conduct electricity
- Does sucrose conduct electricity
Video Reference
Carlos Acosta
