Can molten sulfur conduct electricity? If so, what type of particle carries the current? A. non-conductor B. conductor – electrons carry the current C. conductor – only cations carry the current D. conductor – only anions carry the current E. conductor – cations and anions carry the current
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: A. non-conductor
Explanation:
Molten sulfur is a non-conductor of electricity. This means that it cannot carry an electric current, even in its liquid (molten) state.
To understand why, we need to consider what allows a substance to conduct electricity. Electrical conductivity in liquids depends on the presence of free-moving charged particles. These charged particles can be:
- Electrons, as in metals
- Ions (cations and anions), as in molten ionic compounds or electrolytic solutions
Sulfur, however, is a nonmetal and exists as a molecular substance, typically in the form of S₈ rings. When sulfur is heated and melts, the S₈ molecules remain covalently bonded. Even though the structure may change slightly at very high temperatures, no free ions or delocalized electrons are produced. The molecules simply move more freely in the molten state, but the electrons remain localized in covalent bonds.
This is unlike ionic substances (e.g., NaCl), which conduct electricity when molten because they break apart into free-moving cations (Na⁺) and anions (Cl⁻). Molten sulfur lacks these ions.
Furthermore, even though sulfur atoms can form anionic species like sulfide (S²⁻) in reactions, elemental sulfur does not dissociate into such ions by simply melting. Therefore, molten sulfur lacks both mobile electrons and mobile ions, meaning it cannot conduct electricity.
This makes sulfur similar to other molecular covalent substances such as wax or sugar: they may melt into a liquid but still do not conduct electricity because they do not produce ions or free electrons.
In conclusion, molten sulfur is a non-conductor of electricity because it does not produce any charged particles that are free to move and carry current.
