Question

a student is given a mystery substance dissolved in water. the mystery substance is either compound 1 or compound 2, as shown in the image below. to determine the identity of the substance, she decides to test the samples conductivity. she observes that the sample conducts electricity, as shown in the image below. what is the identity of the mystery substance, and why?
what is the identity of the mystery substance, and why?
the mystery substance is compound 1 because it is made of ions, whereas compound 2 is made of molecules.
the mystery substance is compound 2 because it is made of molecules, whereas compound 1 is made of ions.
the mystery substance is compound 1 because it is made of molecules, whereas compound 2 is made of ions.
the mystery substance is compound 2 because it is made of ions, whereas compound 1 is made of molecules.

Explanation:

Ionic compounds dissociate into ions in water, which can carry electric charge and thus conduct electricity. Molecular compounds (made of molecules) do not dissociate into ions in water (in general, for simple molecular compounds like many organic compounds) and do not conduct electricity. Since the mystery substance conducts electricity, it must be made of ions (like Compound 1 in the correct reasoning).

Answer:

The mystery substance is Compound 1 because it is made of ions, whereas Compound 2 is made of molecules.