Q: Which of the following solids is not an electrical conductor?

Explanation:

Electrical Conductivity

Option A: Mg (s) – Magnesium is a metal. Metals generally have free electrons that can move easily through the lattice, allowing them to conduct electricity well. Therefore, magnesium is a good electrical conductor.

Option B: TiO (s) – Titanium(II) oxide is an ionic compound. Ionic compounds can conduct electricity when they are melted or dissolved in water because the ions are free to move. However, in the solid state, the ions are fixed in place and cannot move freely, so solid TiO does not conduct electricity.

Option C: I2 (s) – Iodine in its solid state consists of molecules held together by intermolecular forces. These molecules do not have free electrons or ions that can move around, which means solid iodine does not conduct electricity. This makes iodine a poor electrical conductor.

Option D: H2O (s) – Ice, the solid form of water, is a molecular solid. Pure ice does not conduct electricity because it lacks free ions or electrons.

Given these explanations, the correct answer is I2 (s) because solid iodine does not have the free-moving charge carriers necessary to conduct electricity effectively.