An ionic solid is a poor conductor of electricity, because

Options

A. the charge on the ions is unequally distributed
B. ions do not conduct electricity
C. ions are rigidly held in solid
D. none of the above.

Explanation

To solve the question "An ionic solid is a poor conductor of electricity, because," we can break down the reasoning into a few clear steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Ionic Solids**:
- Ionic solids are composed of positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions) that are arranged in a regular, repeating pattern known as a crystal lattice.

2. **Electrostatic Forces**:
- The cations and anions in an ionic solid are held together by strong electrostatic forces of attraction. These forces are due to the opposite charges of the ions.

3. **Movement of Ions**:
- In the solid state, the ions in an ionic solid are not free to move. They are fixed in place within the crystal lattice structure due to the strong electrostatic forces.

4. **Conductivity of Electricity**:
- For a substance to conduct electricity, it must have charged particles that can move freely. In ionic solids, since the ions are rigidly held in place, they cannot move to carry an electric current.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, ionic solids are poor conductors of electricity in their solid state because the ions are not free to move.

### Final Answer:
An ionic solid is a poor conductor of electricity because the ions are rigidly held in place by strong electrostatic forces and cannot move freely.

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