The student is now told that the four solids, in no particular order, are aluminum chloride (AlCl3AlCl3), sugar (C6H12O6C6H12O6), benzoic acid (C6H5COOHC6H5COOH), and sodium bromide (NaBrNaBr). Assuming that conductivity is correlated to the number of ions in solution, rank the four substances based on how well a 0.20 MM solution in water will conduct electricity.

The order of conductivity will be as follows:

> NaBr > Benzoic acid > sugar

Explanation:

ionizes to give one Al and three ions and thus, produces 4 ions.

Sugar does not ionizes and hence does not produce ions.

Benzoic acid is a weak organic acid and ionizes to produce two ions; and .

Sodium bromide is a strong electrolyte and ionizes to produce 2 ions.

As sodium is strong electrolyte, therefore, its conductance will be higher than benzoic acid.

Therefore, the order of conductivity will be as follows:

> NaBr > Benzoic acid > sugar