What is the distinction between electronic and ionic conduction?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The key distinction between electronic and ionic conduction lies in the type of material and the charge carriers involved. Electronic conduction occurs in materials with free electrons, such as metals and semiconductors (e.g., copper, silver, and gold), while ionic conduction occurs in materials with charged ions, such as electrolytes and some ceramics (e.g., salt solutions, lithium-ion batteries, and solid oxide fuel cells).

Step by step solution

01

Define Electronic and Ionic Conduction

Electronic conduction occurs in materials with free electrons, while ionic conduction involves the movement of charged ions within a material. Both processes allow for the transfer of electrical charge, but they involve different types of charge carriers and occur in different materials.
02

Describe Electronic Conduction

Electronic conduction occurs when an electric field is applied to a material with freely moving electrons, such as a metal or a semiconductor. In these materials, electrons move through the material toward the positively charged electrode, creating an electric current. Examples of materials that exhibit electronic conduction are copper, silver, and gold.
03

Describe Ionic Conduction

On the other hand, ionic conduction occurs in materials with charged ions, such as electrolytes and some ceramics. In this case, an electric field causes the positively and negatively charged ions to move towards the oppositely charged electrode, thus creating an electric current. Examples of materials that exhibit ionic conduction are table salt (NaCl) in solution, lithium-ion batteries, and solid oxide fuel cells.
04

Summary

In summary, the distinction between electronic and ionic conduction lies in the type of material, as well as the charge carriers. Electronic conduction happens in materials with free electrons, while ionic conduction occurs in materials with charged ions. Metals and semiconductors are examples of materials that exhibit electronic conduction, while electrolytes and some ceramics display ionic conduction.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free