INTRODUCTION

We use electricity to run different things like fans, doorbells, heaters, bulbs and so on. These
devices make use of different effects of elelctric current such as the magnetic effect and the
heating effect. Another often-used effect of electric current is its chemical effect. When
electricity is passed through certain liquids, chemical changes take place. Some of these changes
are useful to us.
The materials which allow electric current to pass through them easily are called good
conductors of electricity. On the other hand, those materials which do not allow electric
current to pass through them easily are called poor conductors of electricity. The metals
such as copper and aluminium allow electricity to pass through them easily, so they are good
conductors of electricity. The materials such as rubber, plastic and wood do not allow electric
current to pass through them, so they are poor conductors of electricity.
How do we pass electricity through a liquid? We put two electrodes in the liquid and apply a
voltage across them. In a circuit, an electrode is a conductor that is in contact with a nonmetallic
thing like a liquid or gas.
The electrode connected to the positive terminal of a battery is called anode, and the electrode
connected to the negative terminal is called the cathode.
ACTIVITY:

Let us try to pass a current through different liquids. We will use an LED to detect current. An
LED needs less current than a bulb to work. So, it will glow even if the current flowing through
the liquid is weak.
An LED has two terminals- positive and negative. The positive terminal is longer. Connect it to
the positive terminal of a 3-volt battery. Connect the negative terminals of the battery and the
LED to wires attached to metal clips. The clips will act as electrodes.
Take the test liquid in a small plastic or glass container. Dip the clips into the liquid. They should
not touch each other. If the liquid conducts electricity, the LED will glow. Test different liquids
like water, tap water, vinegar, lemon juice, oils, solution of common salt, washing powder etc.

ELECTRICITY THROUGH DIFFERENT SUBSTANCES:

All substances are made up of atoms, which have charged particles called electrons and protons.
Electricity in all forms is due to the charges on these particles. When charged particles move in
an orderly fashion, we get an electric current.
Conduction in soilds

Among solids, metals are good conductors of electricity. In metals, some electrons are not very
tightly bound to the atoms. They move about randomly in different directions within the metal.
When a voltage is applied across a piece of a metal, these electrons move in an orderly fashion in
one direction. This flow of electrons is the current in the metal. In most other solids, electrons are
tightly bound to the atoms and are not easily available to flow. So they do not conduct electricity
well.
Conduction in liquids
Molten metals and mercury conduct electricity. The current through them is constituted by the
flow of electrons. Other liquids conduct electricity because they have ions.
WHAT ARE IONS?
Under some conditions, an atom may lose one or more electrons, which get added to another
atom. The atom that loses an electron has more protons than electrons. Sit becomes positively
charged. The atom that gains the electrons has more electrons than protons. So it becomes
negatively charged.
An atom or a radical that becomes charged by losing or gaining one or more electrons is
called an ion.
K – e- ---- K+ (positively charged potassium ion)
I + e- -- I- (negatively charged iodide ion)
Ca – 2e- --- Ca+2
O + 2e- -- O2-
Ions carrying opposite charges tend to attract and hold on to each other. This may lead to the
formation of compounds called ionic compounds. For example, a sodium atom may lose an
electron, which is gained by a chloride atom. Thus, a positively charged sodium ion(Na+) and a
negatively charged chloride ion(Cl-) are formed. These come together to form the ionic
compound NaCl.

Na – e- -- Na+
Cl + e- -- Cl-
Na+ + Cl- -- NaCl
Similarly, potassium iodide and calcium oxide are formed when their oppositely charged ions
come together.
K+ + I- -- KI
Ca2+ + O2- -- CaO
Some more examples of ions:
Positive ions – Na+, K+, Cu2+, Ca2+ etc.
Negative ions – Cl-, I-, O2-, OH-, NO-3, SO42-, CO32- etc.
When an ionic compound is dissolved in water, it splits into its component ions. A liquid or a
moist paste that has ions in it is called an electrolyte. When common salt(NaCl) is dissolved in
water,it splits into Na+ and Cl- ions. A solution of common salt is therefore an example of an
electrolyte. In general, acids and solutions of salts and bases are electrolytes.
NaCl -- Na+ + Cl-

The ions are free to move about in an electrolyte. When a voltage is applied across electrodes
placed in the electrolyte, the ions start moving in an orderly fashion. The positive ions move
towards the cathode (negative electrode) and the negative ions move towards the anode(positive
electrode). Their flow constitutes a current through the electrolyte. That is why liquids that have
ions, such as acids and solutions of salts and bases, conduct electricity.
When an ionic compound melts, it breaks up into ions, which flow when a voltage is applied. So,
molten ionic compounds are also electrolytes and conduct electricity.
Important definitions
Electrolysis: The chemical decomposition produced by passing an electric current through a
conducting liquid is called electrolysis.
Electrolyte: A liquid or solution of a substance which can conduct electricity is called an
electrolyte. The solutions of acids, bases and salts in water are electrolytes.
Electrolytes are of two types: strong electrolytes and weak electrolytes
A strong electrolyte is a liquid which conducts electricity very well. Ex- sulphuric acid solution,
hydrochloric acid solution, common salt solution etc.
A weak electrolyte is a liquid which conducts electricity to a lesser extent. Ex- vinegar, lemon
juice etc.
Electrode: A solid electrical conductor through which an electric current enters or leaves
something like a dry cell or an electrolytic cell, is called an electrode.
Electrodes are of two types: Cathode and Anode
The positively charged electrode is called anode.
The negatively charged electrode is called cathode.
Electrolytic cell: An arrangement having two electrodes kept in a conducting liquid or
electrolyte in a vessel is called an electrolytic cell.
Current through the human body
Sometimes people accidentally touch the mains wire or a faulty electrical appliance whose
surface is at a high voltage. This causes a current to flow through the body to the ground,
producing an electric shock. The severity of the shock depends on the magnitude of the current.
It also depends on whether the body is dry or wet.
Difference between conduction of electricity by solids and liquids
 In solids, electricity is carried by electrons but in liquids, electricity is carried by ions.
 When electricity is passed through a solid, then no chemical change takes place but when
electricity is passed through a liquid, then a chemical change takes place.
Detection of weak current flowing through a liquid
The current flowing in a circuit is usually detected by using small electric bulb. If, however, the
current flowing through the circuit is too weak, then the heating effect produced by current in the
filament is too little, due to which the filament does not get heated sufficiently and hence the
bulb does not glow at all.
The weak electric current flowing through liquids van be detected in two ways:
 By using a LED
 By using a compass
TEST YOURSELF:
i) Why does distilled water not conduct electricity? How can we make it to conduct
electricity?
ii) Is tap water a conductor of electricity or not? Explain.
iii) Why should we never operate electric switch with wet hands?
iv) Which one is better conductor – sea water or drinking water and why?
v) Why is it not safe for an electrician to carry out electrical repairs in the outdoor area
during heavy rain?