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Name Sehrish Javed

Roll no.# 69
Lab report no.# 02
Compare the conductivities of Compare strong and weak electrolytes
Theory:
Electrolyte:
Electrolyte are chemical compounds such as liquids or gels that contain ions and can
conduct electricity when molten or dissolved in a solution. Electrolytes are necessary for
batteries to function and for cells to regulate their electrical charge and the flow of water
molecules across cell membranes.
Examples:
Sodium chloride, Nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, Calcium chloride etc.
Types of electrolyte:
Strong electrolyte:
A strong electrolyte is a compound that will completely dissociate into ions in water.
Weak electrolyte:
A weak electrolyte dissolves only partially dissociate into ions in water.

Conductivity of electrolyte:
The conductivity of an electrolyte solution depends on concentration of the ionic species and
behaves differently for strong and weak electrolytes. Pure water does not conduct electricity, but
any solvated ionic species would contribute to conduction of electricity. An ionically conducting
solution is called an electrolyte solution and the compound, which produces the ions as it
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dissolves, is called an electrolyte. A strong electrolyte is a compound that will completely

dissociate into ions in water. Correspondingly, a weak electrolyte dissolve only partially. The
conductivity of an electrolyte solution depends on concentration of the ionic species and behaves
differently for strong and weak electrolytes. In this work the electric conductivity of water
containing various electrolytes will be studied. The data will be extrapolated to infinitely dilute
solutions and the acidity constant for a given weak electrolyte will also be determined.
Principle:
It is possible to differentiate between strong and weak electrolytes by measuring their electrical
conductance. Strong electrolytes follow Kohlrausch's law, whereas weak electrolytes are
described by Ostwald's dilution law. The examination of the concentration dependence of the
conductivity allows the molar conductivities of infinitely diluted electrolytes to be determined
and facilitates the calculation of degree of dissociation and the dissociation constants of weak
electrolytes.
Kohlrausch's law:
Kohlrausch's law states that the equivalent conductivity of an electrolyte at infinite dilution is
equal to the sum of the conductance’s of the anions and cations. If a salt is dissolved in water, the
conductivity of the solution is the sum of the conductance of the anions and cations.
Ostwald's dilution law:
Ostwald's dilution law is the application of the law of mass action to weak electrolytes in
solution. Thus, at constant temperature degree of dissociation of weak electrolyte is directly
proportional to square root of its dilution.
Experiment
Objective:
1.To measure the conductance of potassium chloride, hydrochloric acid, sodium
chloride and sodium acetate.
2 . To d e t e r m i n e t h e d i s s o c i a t i o n c o n s t a n t o f a c e t i c a c i d
Apparatus:
Conductivity meter, dilution flasks (100mL), pipette, burette and measuring cylinder.
Task overview:
Measure conductivities of 0.10 M, 0.025 M, 0.00625 M and 0.000390 M solutions of a strong
electrolytes (sodium chloride; NaCl) and one weak electrolyte (acetic acid; CH3CO2H) using a
conductivity meter.
Calibration solution:
If calibration solution (0.01 KCl in deionized water) is not available, it can be prepared by
weighing 0.3728 g of anhydrous KCl and dissolving it in 500.0 mL of deionized water.
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Electrolyte solutions:
Prepare 250 mL electrolyte solutions(stock solutions) in volumetric flasks. Use the electrolytes
and concentrations given in the task overview above. CH3COOH and NaCl are given as 0.20 M
stock solutions whereas the rest of the compounds are given as solids. Be sure to mix the
solutions well before measurement.
Procedure:
 Use a beaker, which allows full immersion of the electrodes in the solution.
 Handle the electrode with care and connect the electrode cable to the meter correctly.
 Always rinse the electrode with deionized water before use.
 Before taking readings, always shake the electrode briefly to release possible air bubbles
trapped in the electrode.
 First, perform calibration measurement using the 0.000390 M NaCl solution.
 Note that the instrument readout units are mS / cm.
 After calibration, proceed in measuring your electrolyte solutions.
 Carry out measurements always starting from the most dilute sample and working
towards the most concentrated one.
 Perform the same calibration measurement with weak electrolyte solutions.