Can pure molten hydrochloric acid conduct electricity?

AI Thread Summary
Pure molten hydrochloric acid (HCl) can conduct electricity due to the presence of free and mobile ions when it transitions from solid to liquid. While HCl is primarily known as a gas and is typically used in aqueous solutions, its ionization at high temperatures may enhance conductivity. However, there is debate about the conductivity of liquid HCl, with some arguing it may be a poor conductor because it is a covalent compound with fewer ions compared to ionic solutions. The discussion also touches on the nature of HCl as a strong acid, which dissociates well in water, leading to the availability of mobile ions that facilitate electrical conduction. Additionally, HCl's role as a weak base in certain reactions is mentioned, highlighting its behavior in acid-base chemistry.
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can pure molten hydrochloric acid conduct electricity?
 
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Of course; HCl is an ionic solid; by definition, ionic solids are composed of anions and cations; when the solid is made liquid, you have free and mobile ions; thus, you can conduct electricity.

Yes, pure molten HCl will conduct electricity
 
Well, I am not sure; hydrochloric acid is a gas which is used as aqueous solution. In high temperature you will not get it as a solid; it will evaporate. However, high temperature will possibly help its ionization.
 
Would not the HCl gas conduct electricity as well? It has ions more mobile than that of its liquid form
 
Liquid HCl will probably be a poor conductor of electricity owing to the fact that it is a covalent compound and doesn't have terribly many ions floating about. Pure water will conduct electricity as a result of ions created by the reaction 2H2O <-> H3O+ + OH-, and there is probably an analagous equilibrium taking place with the HCl: 2HCl <-> H2Cl+ + Cl-. However, HCl is such a weak base that it will have little tendency to accept a proton to form H2Cl+, so this reaction will probably have very little effect (also it should be noted that pure water is still a poor conductor of electricity, even with the aforementioned equilibrium taking place).
 
Pyrovus said:
Liquid HCl will probably be a poor conductor of electricity owing to the fact that it is a covalent compound

Silly mE! :biggrin: I forgot it was covalent... :frown: !
Ay!

Pyrovus said:
However, HCl is such a weak base

How? HCl is hydrochloric acid!, and it is a strong acid! Strong acids will dissociate well in water! Which means mobile ion availability in aqueous HCl solutions!--and thus will conduct electricity!
 
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Pyrovus said:
However, HCl is such a weak base

bomba923 said:
How? HCl is hydrochloric acid!, and it is a strong acid! Strong acids will dissociate well in water! Which means mobile ion availability in aqueous HCl solutions!--and thus will conduct electricity!

What Pyrovus means is that in the reaction 2HCl \leftrightarrow H_2Cl^+ + Cl^- HCl plays role of proton acceptor - so it is a Bronsted base.


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BATE - pH calculations, titration curves, hydrolisis
 
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