[Clawthorn]

I am having some real trouble finding any scientific, industrial or social significance of the differing conductivity levels of NaCl, CaCl₂ AlCl₃, Ethanol, Methanol and Propanol.  I have tryed nearly everywhere but the best I can get is something to do with the human body, maybe nervous systems or something along those lines?  Please help, I have done my best and I just couldn't get it.

[Train]

How does conductivity work in a solution?  What carries the charges?  A solution of higher conductivity must have more of these charge carriers.

[Clawthorn]

How does conductivity work in a solution?  What carries the charges?  A solution of higher conductivity must have more of these charge carriers.

The significance of this though?

[Train]

You have to answer this question:

What is going to carry the charge in NaCl, CaCl2 AlCl3, Ethanol, Methanol and Propanol in order for those materials to conduct electricity?

You can also look up the term "electrolyte."

[Borek]

While these things are related, mechanism of charge transfer doesn't address the "social significance of different conductivity" part.

[Clawthorn]

While these things are related, mechanism of charge transfer doesn't address the "social significance of different conductivity" part.

My point exactly.  I'm thinking that there just isn't any significance that directly relates to both the salts and the alcohols, in fact I can't think of any significance of electrical conductivity of alcohols.  Maybe two different sections would be appropriate?

[Train]

I was thinking that the electrical conductivity of the alcohols may be related to the extent of autoprotolysis.  Thus conductivity can have a similar (scientific) significance for all 6 compounds.

I wasn't really attempting to comment on the social significance (you did say OR), however there's this book that I haven't read yet but have been meaning to for a while: Salt, A World History by Kurlansky.  I don't know if he discusses the social significance of the conductivity of salt or not.