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]

 

[pmacias]

Yes, ions can pass through a conductive wire just like electrons do. However, the mechanisms by which ions and electrons move through a wire are slightly different. Electrons are negatively charged and can move freely through a conductive material, such as a wire, due to the presence of an electric field. Ions, on the other hand, are atoms or molecules that have a positive or negative charge and can also move through a conductive wire, but they require an external force, such as an electric potential, to move.

In a process called ionic conductivity, ions can move through a conductive material by jumping from one atom to another. This movement is facilitated by the presence of mobile ions within the material. In contrast, electrons move through the wire by flowing in a continuous stream, like a current.

The ability of ions to pass through a wire is important in many scientific and technological applications. For example, in batteries, ions are able to pass through the conductive material of the electrodes, allowing for the flow of electricity and the storage of energy. In biological systems, ions also play a crucial role in the transmission of nerve impulses.

In summary, while ions and electrons have different mechanisms for moving through a wire, both are able to pass through a conductive material and contribute to the flow of electricity. This understanding is important for scientists and engineers in developing new technologies and understanding the fundamental properties of materials.