As H2O is a very poor electricity conductor, it needs NaCl mixed into it to be a good conductor. Then, why is water very dangerous near electricity?

Question

As H2O is a very poor electricity conductor, it needs NaCl mixed into it to be a good conductor. Then, why is water very dangerous near electricity?

In: Chemistry

Answer 1

Pure water is really only available when it’s been manufactured, through deionisation processes or distillation. NaCl is just one conductor solute, in reality you can use many salts and even non-salt molecules like acids.

All groundwater contains dissolved ions which is what comes out of your taps, not to mention added ions like Cl- and F-. Rainwater also contains dissolved ions (CO3-2, NO3-, SO4-2, etc.), not salts but species which can conduct electricity, and it will also potentially pick up ions from the ground when it falls.