LAB PRACTICAL

IONIC COMPOUNDS: ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY

1. INTRODUCTION:
A substance can conduct an electrical current if it is made of positively and negatively charged particles
that are free to move about and is called a conductor. When an electrical current is applied between
two electrodes, the positively charged electrode, the anode, will attract negatively charged particles and
the negatively charged electrode, the cathode, attracts positively charged particles. So to conduct
electricity mobile charged particles must be present.

A substance that does not conduct electricity is a nonconductor

2. OBJECTIVES

 Observe evidence the conductivity hability.

 Acquire and analyze information that will enable you to decide if a compound has an ionic
bond.
 Classify the solutions as ionic or not ionic

Materials
 Basic electrical circuit for a lamp  HCl
 Solutions:  NaOH
 Tap Water  Sugar
 Distilled Water  Vinegar
 NaCl

4. HYPOTHESIS (Writte the hypothesis)

5. RESEARCH QUESTION (Writte the Research question)

6. VARIABLES (Writte the Variables)

 Independent Variables:
 Dependent Variables:
 Controls:

7. PROCEDURE
A. Read and complete the lab safety form.

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 B. Record all measurements in your data table.
C. Carefully place the conductivity tester into each solution. The Circuit is rinsed in distilled water
between each test.
D. Warning: All metal components of the tester are electrically charged! You will get shocked!
E. Cleanup and Disposal Dispose of the product as directed by your teacher. Wash out the
crucible with water. Return all lab equipment to its proper place.
8. DATA

Solutions Light Bulb Response Strong Conductor, Ionic compounds

Bright, Dim, No Light Weak Conductor, or
Non-Conductor

9. Conclusion (WRITTE THE CONCLUSION)

1. Analyze Data Which of the solutions contain ionic compounds? Explain how you know

2. Infer What kinds of elements are in the formulas for the ionic compounds?
3. Graph Make a graph that represents the conductivity for the solutions used from strong
conductors to non conductors solutions