Is NaOH Conductive?

In solid form, NaOH will not be conductive. Because you will need free ions to be conductive. NaOH is a crystalline odorless solid at room temperature.

However, NaOH will be conductive in any solution since the ions will be free. Because of free Na⁺ and OH^– ions, NaOH will be conductive.

Is NaOH Conductive

NaOH also known as caustic soda or soda or lye is solid crystalline at room temperature. The anion OH^– and cation Na⁺ bond together and form a neutral crystal that is NaOH.

As its ions are not free ion their crystal form, they can not conduct heat and electricity. Because we need free ions to conduct electricity. However, in solutions NaOH loses its crystal form and the ions get free to conduct.

Is NaOH a conductive solution

Yes, NaOH is a conductive solution. In order to be conductive, we need ions in a solution. Water or any solution like NaCl solution breaks the NaOH crystal form and the solution contains free ions.

In a water solution, there will be Na⁺, OH^–, and H⁺ and in a brine solution, there will be Na⁺ OH^– and Cl^– free ions. Therefore, the solution will be conductive.

Why NaOH is a good conductor

The solution of NaOH is a good conductor rather than the solid NaOH. Because in the NaOH solution there are free ions to conduct electricity. And the ions will be .1mol of Na⁺ cation and OH^– anion in a 1 Liter of solution.

Does NaOH increase conductivity

 Yes, NaOH increases conductivity. We know that increasing temperature causes an increase in the conductivity of electricity in any solution. However, concentrated NaOH elevates temperatures and enhances both the contribution of proton transfer to the ionic conductivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is NaOH a weak conductor of electricity?

The solution of NaOH will be a good conductor of electricity as there are 0.1 mol of Na⁺ ions and 0.1 mol of OH^– ions in 1 Liter of solution. Therefore, NaOH is not a weak conductor.

Conclusion 

Sodium hydroxide or NaOH is only conductive in solution. If you want to use NaOH as a conductor, you have to mix it in any solution. The more free ions you can get the more conductive will be your solution.