How do covalent bonds conduct electricity?

Hi, and I appreciate your inquiry.

Covalent compounds do not conduct electricity. Last year, we conducted experiments in class where we tested different compounds and their solutions; the more ions the solution contained, the brighter the light bulb.

The lightbulb was extremely bright, and sodium chloride in solution will produce both sodium and chloride ions.

The light bulb did not light up when we added sugar to the solution. This is because the molecules in the sugar will separate from one another but not from one another; no ions were formed, which means that there was no electrical conductivity. Water had the same effect.

I hope this is useful.

Because covalent bonds require the sharing of electrons, which prevents the free flow of charged particles required for electrical conductivity, they are unable to conduct electricity.