Is there any way I can differentiate electrical conductivity?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on differentiating electrical conductivity among various substances, specifically addressing the conductivity of vegetable oil, Gatorade, and pencil lead. It establishes that electrolytes, which are typically solutions of acids, salts, and bases, conduct electricity due to the presence of mobile ions. The conductivity of solid salts is contingent upon their bonding types: metals exhibit high conductivity due to mobile electrons, while ionic solids and covalent bonds demonstrate progressively lower conductivity. The discussion also highlights the importance of understanding the types of bonds present in substances like vegetable oil.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electrical conductivity principles
  • Knowledge of ionic, covalent, and metallic bonding
  • Familiarity with electrolytes and their properties
  • Basic chemistry concepts related to solutions and solubility
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the electrical conductivity of various electrolytes, including Gatorade
  • Explore the bonding types in organic compounds, focusing on vegetable oil
  • Investigate the conductivity of solid ionic compounds versus their aqueous solutions
  • Learn about the role of mobile electrons in metallic conductivity
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for chemistry students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of electrical conductivity in different substances.

girlbythewindow
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...Kay, so I was doing [or trying to do] my homework, and it's pretty basic, actually.
We're given a table comprising substances like "vegetable oil", "gatorade", "pencil lead", etc; and asked to predict its electrical conductivity.

I tried Googling some of it, but nothing really relevant actually came up.

I get the part that electrolytes are mainly solutions of acids, salts, and bases...but my question is: for substances like vegetable oil, how can you tell its electrical conductivity?

...Also, if I have a salt in solid form, will it conduct electricity as well?
 
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It depends on the types of bonds in the material - metal, ionic, covalent. Metals have highly mobile electrons, ionic solids less so, and covalent bonds much less.

What happens in an electrolyte?

What types of bonds are found in vegetable oil?
 

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