Liquid hydrogen chloride is unable to conduct electricity, but molten sodium chloride is able to conduct electricity — explain
WBBSE
Class X
Physical Science
Ionic and Covalent Bond
02 Mark
2026
Liquid hydrogen chloride (HCl) is a covalent compound and does not contain free ions in the liquid state. Therefore, it cannot conduct electricity.
On the other hand, molten sodium chloride (NaCl) contains freely moving Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions. These ions carry electric charge through the molten salt. Therefore, molten NaCl conducts electricity.
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