Question

Identify the wrong statement:

• A. Alkali halides are highly conductive
• B. Mercury chloride is very good conductor of electricity
• C. Fused salts are good conductor of electricity
• D. Easily polarizable ions in the fused salt mixtures reduces the ionic mobility

Hint:

Poor electrical conductivity is a characteristic of covalent compounds like HgCl\(_2\), unlike ionic substances that conduct in molten or dissolved form.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the properties of the given substances
- Alkali halides (such as NaCl, KCl) are ionic compounds. In molten or aqueous form, they conduct electricity well due to the presence of free-moving ions. Hence, statement (A) is correct. - Mercury(II) chloride (HgCl\(_2\)) is a covalent compound. It does not dissociate well in aqueous solution and hence, is a poor conductor of electricity. This makes statement (B) incorrect. - Fused salts, when melted, release free ions and act as good conductors of electricity. This makes statement (C) correct. - Easily polarizable ions can distort the ionic cloud, leading to reduced mobility of the ions in fused salts. This reduces the conductivity, so statement (D) is also correct. Step 2: Identifying the incorrect statement
Only statement (B) is scientifically inaccurate. Mercury chloride is not a good conductor of electricity. Conclusion: The incorrect statement is (B) Mercury chloride is very good conductor of electricity.