What can ions not do?

Ions are charged particles that can move freely in certain environments; however, they are unable to move through solid conductors. In solid materials, especially metals, the atoms are tightly arranged, and only free electrons can move through the lattice, allowing the conduction of electricity. Since ions require mobility to conduct electricity, they typically do so in liquid states or solutions where they can dissociate from one another and move freely in the solvent.

In contrast, in gaseous states or liquid solutions, ions can bond with other ions to form compounds; they can also conduct electricity in an aqueous solution where they are solvated and separated by water molecules. Furthermore, ions can experience polarization in magnetic fields, which aligns their magnetic dipoles due to their charge and mass.

Thus, it is clear that while ions have the ability to perform various tasks in appropriate environments, they cannot traverse solid conductors, encapsulating the essential nature of ionic movement.