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Carbon dioxide does not conduct electricity in any state. However, aluminium oxide will conduct electricity when it is molten. Can you explain this difference clearly?
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Meave Gilchrist
Carbon dioxide does not conduct electricity in any state. However, aluminium oxide will conduct electricity when it is molten. Can you explain this difference clearly?
Aluminum oxide is an ionic compound, meaning the three valence electrons of the aluminum atoms are completely captured by the two valence “holes” of the oxygen atoms. (“Holes” is not a scientific word but gets the meaning across). That means the aluminum atoms have a charge of +3 and the oxygen atoms have a charge of -2. The opposite charges keep them close together in the solid and liquid forms. In the solid form, the ions (charged atoms) are stuck, unable to move. In the liquid phase, they CAN move around while remaining close together to maintain overall charge neutrality. So, the electrical conduction of the molten Al2O3 is due to mobile ions, rather than the usual mobile electrons observed in metallic conductors.
CO2, on the other hand, is not an ionic compound. Each carbon atom SHARES 4 valence electrons with two oxygen atoms. In liquid form, the CO2 molecules maintain their form and do not ionize. No ions, no conducting band electrons, = insulator/non-conductor.
Aluminum oxide is an ionic compound, meaning the three valence electrons of the aluminum atoms are completely captured by the two valence “holes” of the oxygen atoms. (“Holes” is not a scientific word but gets the meaning across). That means the aluminum atoms have a charge of +3 and the oxygen atoms have a charge of -2. The opposite charges keep them close together in the solid and liquid forms. In the solid form, the ions (charged atoms) are stuck, unable to move. In the liquid phase, they CAN move around while remaining close together to maintain overall charge neutrality. So, the electrical conduction of the molten Al2O3 is due to mobile ions, rather than the usual mobile electrons observed in metallic conductors.
CO2, on the other hand, is not an ionic compound. Each carbon atom SHARES 4 valence electrons with two oxygen atoms. In liquid form, the CO2 molecules maintain their form and do not ionize. No ions, no conducting band electrons, = insulator/non-conductor.
Aluminum oxide is an ionic compound, meaning the three valence electrons of the aluminum atoms are completely captured by the two valence “holes” of the oxygen atoms. (“Holes” is not a scientific word but gets the meaning across). That means the aluminum atoms have a charge of +3 and the oxygen atoms have a charge of -2. The opposite charges keep them close together in the solid and liquid forms. In the solid form, the ions (charged atoms) are stuck, unable to move. In the liquid phase, they CAN move around while remaining close together to maintain overall charge neutrality. So, the electrical conduction of the molten Al2O3 is due to mobile ions, rather than the usual mobile electrons observed in metallic conductors.
CO2, on the other hand, is not an ionic compound. Each carbon atom SHARES 4 valence electrons with two oxygen atoms. In liquid form, the CO2 molecules maintain their form and do not ionize. No ions, no conducting band electrons, = insulator/non-conductor.
Aluminum oxide is an ionic compound, meaning the three valence electrons of the aluminum atoms are completely captured by the two valence “holes” of the oxygen atoms. (“Holes” is not a scientific word but gets the meaning across). That means the aluminum atoms have a charge of +3 and the oxygen atoms have a charge of -2. The opposite charges keep them close together in the solid and liquid forms. In the solid form, the ions (charged atoms) are stuck, unable to move. In the liquid phase, they CAN move around while remaining close together to maintain overall charge neutrality. So, the electrical conduction of the molten Al2O3 is due to mobile ions, rather than the usual mobile electrons observed in metallic conductors.
CO2, on the other hand, is not an ionic compound. Each carbon atom SHARES 4 valence electrons with two oxygen atoms. In liquid form, the CO2 molecules maintain their form and do not ionize. No ions, no conducting band electrons, = insulator/non-conductor.
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