Can Ionic Compounds conduct electricity in a gaseous state?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the ability of ionic compounds to conduct electricity in different states, specifically focusing on their gaseous form. Participants explore the conditions under which various substances, including ionic compounds, can conduct electricity, and whether ionization in gas form leads to conductivity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states that metallic substances can conduct electricity in solid or liquid form due to valence electrons, while ionic substances can only do so in liquid form, not as solids.
  • Another participant asserts that a cold gas will not conduct electricity and that sufficient energy must be provided to ionize the gas, turning it into plasma for conductivity to occur.
  • A question is raised about whether supplying energy to ionize a gas of an ionic compound would lead to its breakdown into constituent parts or allow it to reform once cooled.
  • A later reply challenges an earlier claim, suggesting that ionic substances in solid form can conduct electricity through the movement of ions, referencing the field of solid-state ionics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the conductivity of ionic compounds in gaseous form, with differing views on the conditions required for conductivity and the behavior of ionic substances in solid versus gaseous states.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the states of matter and the conditions necessary for conductivity, which may not be fully resolved. The implications of solid-state ionics and the specific behavior of ionic compounds under different conditions are also noted but not conclusively addressed.

SliverStrike
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TL;DR
Can electrolysis be performed on an ionic compound in a gaseous state??
A metallic substance in solid or liquid form can conduct electricity because of its valence electrons.

An ionic substance in liquid form can conduct electricity through the movement of the ions but not as a solid.

A molecular substance cannot conduct electricity in solid nor liquid form.

In case you're wondering, these information are from a chemistry textbook but there is no mention of these substances in gas form. Would the gas form of any of the three substances conduct electricity if so which ones?
 
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Welcome to PF.

SliverStrike said:
Would the gas form of any of the three substances conduct electricity if so which ones?
Welcome to PF.
A cold gas will not conduct electricity. Sufficient energy to ionise the gas must be provided, making it a plasma, before electrons and ions will be free to move separately.
 
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So if we supply sufficient energy to ionise a gas of an ionic compound would it break down into its constituent parts as in electrolysis once cooled down or reform?
 
SliverStrike said:
An ionic substance in liquid form can conduct electricity through the movement of the ions but not as a solid.
This statement is not quite correct as ionic substances in solid form can conduct electricity through the movement of ions. This is the realm of solid-state ionics: The study of ionic-electronic mixed conductors and fully ionic conductors (solid electrolytes) and their uses.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid_state_ionics
 

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