Conductivity Meter Introduction and Conductometry

Flashcards for reviewing key concepts related to conductometry and the workings of conductivity meters.

Conductometry

The measurement of the electrical conductivity of a solution.

Conductance

The ease in the flow of current through a conductor, measured in siemens (S) or its reciprocal in ohms.

Conductor

A substance or medium that allows electric current to pass through.

Metallic Conductor

A conductor that conducts electricity due to the flow of electrons.

Electrolyte Conductor

A conductor that allows current to pass through due to the movement of ions.

Specific Conductance

Conductance of 1cc of a solution placed between two electrodes separated by 1cm, measured in Ω−1 (S).

Equivalent Conductance

Conductance of a solution containing 1gm equivalent weight of electrolyte in 1L of solution, measured between two electrodes 1cm apart.

Molar Conductance

Conductance of a solution containing 1g mol of electrolyte in 1L, measured between electrodes separated by 1cm.

Electrolyte

A chemical compound that conducts electricity by dissociating into ions when melted or dissolved.

Strong Electrolyte

An electrolyte that completely dissociates into ions, e.g., NaCl.

Weak Electrolyte

An electrolyte that partially dissociates into ions, e.g., CH3COOH.

Non Electrolyte

Substances that do not conduct electricity, e.g., glucose.

Ohm’s Law

States that current (I) is directly proportional to electromotive force (E) and inversely proportional to resistance (R).

Kohlrausch bridge

A device for measuring conductivity consisting of a meter bridge, resistance box, conductance cell, and detection headphones.

Conductivity Cell

A cell made of glass containing electrodes for measuring the conductance of a solution.

Factors affecting Conductance

Include temperature, concentration, number of ions, charge of ions, and size of ions.

Applications of Conductometry

Used for determining the basicity of acids, purity of water, salinity of seawater, and more.

Conductometric Titration

A method for measuring conductance during the titration of an acid with a base.