Chemistry (ionic compounds) *HELP*?

[Pookie]

-Ionic compounds conduct electricity when dissolved in water and when in its molten state. this is said to be due the ions that are "freed" in the process or smth

1) so how exactly does the water help to free up the ions?
[ i know there's something about the water molecules and the electrostatic forces of attraction but i still dont really get it...]

2) how does melting it down(to a molten state) help to free ions?

thnx
*do help i've got a test on this next week):*
i read somewhere that water molecules are polar and hence help to seperate the charged ions but can anyone like explain it in greater detail?

thnx

[time-OUT]

An ionic compound in the solid cannot conduct electricity because its ions are held together by strong ionic bons which are not free to move about. Particlas in solid can only vibrate in their fixed positions. But in molten state, the ions can move about freely. Since it is melted down, it exists as liquid.

In the aqueous state, the ionic compound dissolves in water, and the water molecules dissociate into H3O+ ions and OH- ions, which can conduct electricity.

[Undisclosed N]

Ionic bonds are held by strong electrostatic force of attraction, therefore have no free ions to act as charge carriers. When in aquas state, it is broken up into anions and cations and they act as charge carriers to carry a electric charge.

[Alex N]

water has one lone pair and is dissociated into H3O+ and OH- ions. thus can conduct electricity