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Solid sodium chloride is a – non – electrolyte and does not allow electricity to pass through it, aqueous solution state.

IN THE MOLTEN STATE [FUSED]

Ionic compounds [eg. NaCl] contain positively charged metallic ions [Na¹⁺ ] & negatively charged non – metallic ions [Cl^1-].

These ions are not free but held together by strong electrostatic force of attraction, due to this an ionic compound in the solid state is a bad conductor of electricity since free ions are essential for conducting electricity.

When an ionic compound is heated strongly the ions gain kinetic energy and break lose and move freely.

The molten solution then becomes a good conductor or electricity.