When can ionic compounds conduct electricity?

Ionic compounds can conduct electricity when they are melted or dissolved in water because this process allows the ions within the compound to move freely. In a solid state, the ions are held in a rigid lattice structure, which prevents them from moving and thus limits the ability of the compound to conduct electricity.

When an ionic compound is melted or dissolved in water, the strong ionic bonds are broken, and the individual ions are released. This movement of charged ions enables the conduction of electrical current, as electricity is the flow of charged particles.

In contrast, while some might consider gases, solids, or room temperature as factors affecting conductivity, they do not allow ionic compounds to conduct electricity in the same effective manner as the melted or dissolved state does.