The factor(s) governing the flow of electricity through an electrolytic solution is/are
(A). The nature of inter ionic attraction.
(B). Temperature
(C). Solvation of ions.
(D). The nature of solvent and its viscosity.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → (A), (B), (C) and (D)
An electrolytic solution conducts electricity by the movement of ions. Anything that changes the number of ions or how freely they move changes the conductance: the nature and concentration of the electrolyte, the size and solvation of its ions, the solvent and its viscosity, and the temperature.
(A) The nature of inter ionic attraction. — Correct. Oppositely charged ions attract and hold one another back. The stronger these interionic attractions (higher concentration, higher ionic charges), the more slowly the ions move; this is why the molar conductivity of a strong electrolyte falls as its concentration rises.
(B) Temperature — Correct. Conductivity increases with temperature, because the viscosity of the solvent falls and the ions move faster (and a weak electrolyte dissociates more).
(C) Solvation of ions. — Correct. A solvated ion moves together with its shell of solvent molecules, so a heavily solvated ion is effectively larger and slower. Small \( \ce{Li^{+}} \), which is strongly hydrated, conducts less than the larger \( \ce{Cs^{+}} \) ion in water.
(D) The nature of solvent and its viscosity. — Correct. A more viscous solvent resists the motion of the ions; the solvent also decides, through its polarity, how far the electrolyte dissociates.
NCERT (2026-27 edition):
Conductance of Electrolytic Solutions – …
