EXPERIMENT No.

5
ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY

OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this experiment, the students are expected to:
1. classify the aqueous solution of a given compound as to strong electrolyte or non-
electrolyte.
2. determine the effects of the amount and nature of solvent MATERIALS/SUPPLIES:
Conductivity apparatus, 250 mL – beakers, graduated cylinder, stirring rod
Distilled water, 1M CaCl2, 1 M HNO3, 1M NaOH, 1M sucrose, 1M NH4OH, 1M acetic acid,
1M glycerin, 1M alcohol, sea water, conc. acetic acid, 10% acetic acid, 50% acetic acid,
1g benzoic acid in 50 mL water, 1 g benzoic acid in 50 mL toluene.

PROCEDURE:
I. The electrical Conductivity Apparatus
A. The electrical conductivity apparatus is designed to test the difference in conductivities
of solutions.
B. In using the apparatus;
1. Check the apparatus parts. It consists of current source, a pair of electrodes and a
light bulb.
2. To check whether it functions, first clean the electrodes, then plug to 220-volt outlet
and let the two electrodes touch each other. If the bulb lights, the apparatus functions.
CAUTION! Do not touch the electrodes while the apparatus is plugged to the 220 volt
source.

3. To test the electrical conductivity of a solution, dip both electrodes of the apparatus
in each of the solutions to about the same depth and distance from each other then
switch the current on. Observe the extent to which the bulb glows in each case. The
electrodes must not touch the bottom of the container. After testing each solution,
turn the current off, then wipe the electrodes dry to avoid contamination of the next
solution.
NOTE: Always take the necessary precautions in using the apparatus.
II. Classification of Compounds
A. Test the electrical conductivity of 100 mL each of the following chemical systems.
1. distilled water 6. 1M sucrose
2. sea water 7. 1M ammonium hydroxide
3. 1M nitric acid 8. 1M acetic acid
4. 1M sodium hydroxide 9. 1M glycerine
5. 1 M alcohol 10. 1M CaCl2
III. Factors Affecting Electrical Conductivity
A. Change in Concentration Test the
electrical conductivity of
1. conc. acetic acid
2. 50% acetic acid by volume
3. 10% acetic acid by volume B. Nature of Solvent
Test the electrical conductivity of
1. 1 gram benzoic acid in 50 mL water
2. 1 gram benzoic acid in 50 mL toluene

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 Name: Marc Zyril Siero Group No. _______________
Course/Year/Sec: _BET ECET 2A-NS_ Date Performed: __01-09-23_
Instructor/Professor:__ Mary Rose Estoque__ Date Submitted: __________

EXPERIMENT No. 5
ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY

OBSEVATIONS:

I. Electrical Conductivity Apparatus Identify the main parts of the

apparatus

Conductivity apparatus, 250 mL – beakers, graduated cylinder, stirring rod

Distilled water, 1M CaCl2, 1 M HNO3, 1M NaOH, 1M sucrose, 1M NH4OH, 1M acetic acid,
1M glycerin, 1M alcohol, sea water, conc. acetic acid, 10% acetic acid, 50% acetic acid,
1g benzoic acid in 50 mL water, 1 g benzoic acid in 50 mL toluene.

II. Classification of Compounds

Chemical System Intensity of Light Classification
Distilled water Non-Electrolytes Not Ionized and Non-Conductor of
Electricity
Seawater Strong Electrolytes Almost Completely Ionized and A
Good Conductor of Electricity
1 M nitric acid Strong Electrolytes Almost Completely Ionized and A
Good Conductor of Electricity
1 M sodium hydroxide Strong Electrolytes Almost Completely Ionized and A
Good Conductor of Electricity
1 M alcohol Non-Electrolytes Not Ionized and Non-Conductor of
Electricity
1 M sucrose Non-Electrolytes Not Ionized and Non-Conductor of
Electricity
1 M ammonium Weak Electrolytes Slightly Ionized and A Poor
hydroxide Conductor of Electricity
1 M acetic acid Weak Electrolytes Slightly Ionized and A Poor
Conductor of Electricity
1 M glycerin Non-Electrolytes Not Ionized and Non-Conductor of
Electricity
1 M calcium chloride Strong Electrolytes Almost Completely Ionized and A
Good Conductor of Electricity

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III. Factors Affecting Electrical Conductivity

A. Change in Concentration
Chemical System Intensity of Light Classification
Conc. Acetic Acid Non-Electrolytes Not Ionized and Non-Conductor
of Electricity
50% acetic acid by volume Weak Electrolytes Slightly Ionized and A Poor
Conductor of Electricity
10% acetic acid by volume Weak Electrolytes Slightly Ionized and A Poor
Conductor of Electricity

B. Nature of Solvent
Chemical System Intensity of Light Classification
1 g benzoic acid in 5 mL in H2O Weak Electrolytes Slightly Ionized and A Poor
Conductor of Electricity
1 g benzoic acid in 5 mL in toluene Non-Electrolytes Not Ionized and Non-
Conductor of Electricity

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS:

I. Explain why the bulb lighted when the two electrodes were in contact with each
other.
• When the two electrodes of a bulb are in contact with each other, the
bulb lights up because a circuit is completed. This allows electricity to
flow through the filament in the bulb, heating it to a high temperature and
causing it to emit light. The electrodes act as a switch, completing the
circuit when they are in contact and breaking the circuit when they are
not.

II. Classification of Compounds

a. Why do some compounds dissolved in water cause the bulb to light
1. brightly?
• When a compound is dissolved in water and placed in contact with
the electrodes of a bulb, it can cause the bulb to light brightly
because the compound can act as an electrolyte. Electrolytes are
substances that, when dissolved in water, break apart into positively
and negatively charged ions. These ions can then conduct electricity,
allowing a current to flow through the circuit and lighting the bulb.

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 2. dimly?

• Some compounds dissolved in water cause the bulb to light dimly

because they are poor conductors of electricity. They may not break
down into ions or they may not have enough ions to conduct a
significant amount of electricity. These substances are called non-
electrolytes, they will not conduct electricity and hence will not light
the bulb brightly.

3. not at all?

• Some compounds dissolved in water cause the bulb to light not at

all because they do not conduct electricity, they are called
insulators. Insulators are materials that do not allow electricity to
flow through them. When a solution of an insulator is placed in
contact with the electrodes of a bulb, no current can flow through
the circuit and the bulb will not light up.

III. Factors Affecting Electrical Conductivity

1. What is the effect of varying the amount of solvent on the electrical

conductivity of solution?
• The electrical conductivity of a solution is directly related to the
concentration of ions present in the solution. When the amount of solvent
(water) is increased, the concentration of ions in the solution is
decreased, which leads to a decrease in the electrical conductivity of the
solution. This is because there are fewer ions per unit volume of solution
to conduct electricity.

2. What is the effect of the nature of solvent on the electrical conductivity of

solutions?
• The nature of the solvent can have a significant effect on the electrical
conductivity of solutions. Different solvents have different dielectric
constants and polarities, which can affect the ability of ions to move and
conduct electricity.

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APPLICATION:

1. What is the difference between conductivity of solutions and metallic conductivity?

• The conductivity of solutions is determined by the presence of ions, while
metallic conductivity is determined by the presence of free electrons. In
general, most metals are good conductors of electricity, while non-electrolyte
solutions have low conductivity.

2. Why is pure dry NaCl a non-conductor of electricity but when dissolved in water,
a good conductor of electricity?
• NaCl (table salt) is a non-conductor of electricity because it does not contain
any ions that can move freely and carry electrical charge. When NaCl is
dissolved in water, the salt dissolves into individual Na+ and Cl- ions. These
ions are now free to move around in the solution and can conduct electricity.

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