No, silicon dioxide does not conduct electricity when dissolved in water.
Silicon dioxide (SiO2), commonly known as silica, is a material composed of silicon and oxygen atoms arranged in a crystal lattice or amorphous structure. Electrical conductivity in materials requires the presence of mobile charge carriers, such as electrons or ions.
Why Silicon Dioxide Doesn't Conduct Electricity
As stated in material properties descriptions, silicon dioxide has no mobile electrons or ions. This fundamental lack of charge carriers means that SiO2 inherently does not conduct electricity, whether it is in a solid state or a liquid (molten) state.
What Happens When SiO2 Meets Water?
The question specifically asks about conductivity when SiO2 is "dissolved" in water. It's important to note that silicon dioxide is largely insoluble in water under typical conditions. While it can react slowly with water over time, especially at high temperatures or pressures, it doesn't dissolve readily like salts or sugars to form a solution with free, mobile ions.
- Low Solubility: SiO2 has very low solubility in water at room temperature.
- Lack of Ion Formation: Even the small amount that reacts tends to form weak silicic acid species, which do not significantly dissociate into mobile ions (like H+ or silicate ions) in solution in sufficient concentration to carry an electric current.
Since the conductivity of water solutions depends on the presence and mobility of ions, and adding silicon dioxide does not produce a significant number of mobile ions, the solution (or mixture) will not conduct electricity due to the presence of SiO2. The conductivity of pure water itself is also very low.
Key Takeaways on SiO2 Conductivity
- No Mobile Charges: Pure silicon dioxide lacks the free electrons or ions needed for conduction.
- Insoluble in Water: SiO2 does not readily dissolve in water.
- No Ion Production: Adding SiO2 to water does not create mobile ions that would carry an electric current.
Consider the difference between adding SiO2 to water and adding a salt like sodium chloride (NaCl). NaCl dissolves and dissociates into mobile Na+ and Cl- ions, allowing the solution to conduct electricity. SiO2 does not behave this way.
In summary, because silicon dioxide itself does not have mobile charge carriers and it does not produce mobile ions when mixed with water, it does not conduct electricity when 'dissolved' in water.
