Can Ions Pass Through a Wire Like Electrons?

[scientifico]

Can ions pass tought a conductive wire like electrons do ?

 

[mfb]

Not in conventional wires, at least not in a significant amount. Wires are solid, therefore the ions are bound in specific locations. If you melt the wire, ions can move.

 

[cjameshuff]

Not in conventional wires, at least not in a significant amount. Wires are solid, therefore the ions are bound in specific locations. If you melt the wire, ions can move.

There are unconventional "wires" that do conduct ions, however: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_bridge

 

[Naty1]

Ions ARE the [charged] current carrying particles in electrolytes, like batteries and seawater. Neither electrons in conductors nor electrons nor holes in semiconductors are considered ions.


lots more here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ions

Ionic bonding is a kind of chemical bonding that arises from the mutual attraction of oppositely charged ions. Ions of like charge repel each other, and ions of opposite charge attract each other. Therefore ions do not usually exist on their own, but will bind with ions of opposite charge to form a crystal lattice.

[no free charge carriers]