Mapua University

School of Chemical, Biological, and

Materials Engineering and Sciences

Physical Chemistry 2 Laboratory

Second Quarter AY 2020-2021

Experiment 5 – Conductimetry: Determination of The

Electrical Properties of Solutions
Butac, Jazzlei Nyah J., Canlas, Jimwell Ed A., Carballo, Gabriel V., Castillo, Ahyessa B., Comia, Josiah
Jarenee V., Dañez, Luis Alfonso G.*a
Fowler, Peter Matthew T.*b
CH117L-B22

Abstract
Conductance is an electrical property of solutions that can be measured by immersing two
electrodes in a solution by applying a voltage.Thus, the experiment focused on the determination of the
electrical properties of different solutions, which was done through an analysis specifically conductivity
meter. The experiment was divided into separate parts based on their objectives which were the operation
of the conductivity meter and the second was the determination of the dissociation constant of the
electrolyte. It was obtained by plotting the concentration vs the conductance of the Potassium Hydroxide
Solutions. Results were revealed in the experiment that the conductance of electrolytic solutions depends
on the nature of the ions present through their mobilities and charges, the concentration of the ion, and
also the conductance behavior which is different for a strong and weak electrolyte.

Keywords: Conductance, Potassium Hydroxide Solution, Electrolytic Solution

Introduction
Adsorption is commonly interchanged with absorption. Though both deals with an interaction
between gas, liquid, and solids, the simplest difference is that the latter process allows liquid to penetrate
through the solid. Whereas the former limits substance from merging at the exterior of another substance.
Adsorption is a surface phenomenon wherein molecules of gas, liquid, or dissolved solids (also known as
adsorbate) forms on the mass surface or adsorbent. This process is commonly applied on water filters and
paints (Papiewski, 2018) and is also used for treatment and purification (Gabelman, 2017).
Heterogeneous surfaces are a vital part of the adsorption, and in the recent years, it has been a focal part
of research and development. The existence of surface heterogeneities poses an important influence to
other vital reactions and processes such as diffusion and reaction kinetics (Dachs & Eisenreich, 1999).
There are two types of adsorption – Physical adsorption and Chemical adsorption. Physical
adsorption or Physisorption is based on a reversible natural attraction between the atom or molecules and
the surface of the other atom or molecules. Thus, also named as Van der Waals adsorption (Amal, 2018).
Physical adsorption has the ability to form multiple layers (Webb, 2003). Temperature affects the ability
of physical adsorption. The higher the temperature, the higher the energy, leaving the molecules moving
actively. Hence, decreasing its adsorption level. As for Chemical adsorption or Chemisorptions, it is an
irreversible process as it creates a covalent or ionic bond on the surface of the adsorbent. However, it may
be regenerated with high energy (Kwon, Fan, DaCosta, Russell, Berchtold, & Dubey, 2011). Unlike the
Physical adsorption, it is a single-layer process as it relies its level of adsorptive capacity relies on direct
contact.
Adsorption isotherm is a graph study of an adsorption process. It determines the amount of
adsorbate present. There are factors that influences the extent of adsorption: (1) nature of adsorbate and
adsorbent; (2) surface area of adsorbent; (3) activation of adsorbent; and (4) experimental conditions. A

Lab Report | January 15, 2021 Page | 1

 Mapua University
School of Chemical, Biological, and
Materials Engineering and Sciences

Physical Chemistry 2 Laboratory

Second Quarter AY 2020-2021

comparison of the data under different experimental conditions could be obtained from adsorption
isotherm, which helps identify how these conditions, such as temperature and pressure, could influence
the extent of adsorption the adsorbate could handle. The extent of adsorption is also called the saturation
pressure.
In the graph presented below (see Figure 1.), x is the adsorbate, and m is the surface of adsorbent.
Pressure is used as a variable if gas is the adsorbate, while concentration is used if liquid is the adsorbate.
The saturation pressure is the maximum point an adsorbent could adhere an adsorbate.

Figure 1. example of an adsorption isotherm graph

Source: Chemistry Learning
There are several types of adsorption isotherms, however in this experiment, the objective is to
construct isotherms from a titration data. Hence, only two types of adsorption isotherms will be utilized.
Freundlich Isotherm is an empirical expression that calculate the empirical constants. The equation used
in Freundlich Isotherm is presented as (see eq. 1, & eq. 2.):

x
=k Cn general form eq. 1.
m
x
log =logk +nlogC linear form eq. 2.
m

Where x is the mass of the adsorbate, m is the mass of adsorbent, C is the equilibrium
concentration of the adsorbate, and k and n are the empirical constants. Though it is an accurate
adsorption isotherm for lower pressure, it is not applicable at higher pressure. The figure below shows the
visual graph of a Freundlich Isotherm (see Figure 2.). The slope of the line is the calculated empirical
constant n and the intercept is k.

Lab Report | January 15, 2021 Page | 2

 Mapua University
School of Chemical, Biological, and
Materials Engineering and Sciences

Physical Chemistry 2 Laboratory

Second Quarter AY 2020-2021

Figure 2. Plot of Freundlich Adsorption Isotherm

Langmuir Isotherm uses a theoretical basis to determine the empirical constants a and b. It
assumes that there is an existence of an equilibrium between the adsorbate and adsorbent system. It is
primarily designed to describe the gas-solid phase adsorption, however, it is also used to contrast and
quantify other various adsorbent’s adsorptive capacity (Ayawei et al., 2017). Another feature of the
Langmuir Isotherm is that it balances the relative rates of adsorption and desorption, which is used to
account for the surface area (Ayawei et al., 2017). The Langmuir Isotherm favors chemisorption
processes due to its basis from mass-action kinetics, but it could also be applied to other system to support
the behavior behind the binary adsorption system (Liu, X. Luo, Ding, & S. Luo, 2019). Another
assumption is that the surface of the adsorbent is smooth, thus the Langmuir Isotherm is not effective on
rough surfaces. The minimum correlation value, R2, is equal to 0.5595, for the Langmuir model to be
considered successful. Anything below than that indicates a rough surface that renders the Langmuir
model, inaccurate. The Langmuir Isotherm equation is presented below (see eq. 3, & eq. 4.).

x abC
= general form eq. 3.
m 1+aC
C 1 C
= +
x ab b linear form eq. 4.
m

Where x is the mass of adsorbate, m is the mass of adsorbent, C is the equilibrium concentration
of adsorbate, and a and b are the empirical constants. The linear form equation is used to calculate the
empirical constants a, adsorption constant, and b, maximum amount of adsorbate forming a monolayer in
the surface. The figure below presents the visual graph of a Langmuir Isotherm (See Figure 3.). The slope
of the line is the inverse of the maximum amount of adsorbate, b, and the intercept is the inverse of the
product of ab. It is important to point out that the Langmuir Isotherm model does not account for
adsorbate/adsorbate interactions.

Lab Report | January 15, 2021 Page | 3

 Mapua University
School of Chemical, Biological, and
Materials Engineering and Sciences

Physical Chemistry 2 Laboratory

Second Quarter AY 2020-2021

Figure 3. plot of Langmuir Adsorption Isotherm

In this experiment, the empirical constants will be calculated from the concentration with respect to the
ratio of mass of adsorbate per mass of adsorbate. The objective is to construct isotherms given a titration
data using the Freundlich Isotherm and Langmuir Isotherm.

Methodology
Reagents and samples
The following chemical reagents were made use of during the sample preparation and procedures
carried throughout the experiment: A 0.1M HCl, 0.1M NH 4Cl, 0.1M NaCl, 0.1M NaC2H3O2, 0.1M
NaOH, and deionized water for washing the electrode.

Apparatuses and Laboratory Equipment

In line with the reagents, the following apparatuses were made use of in the experiment: five test
tubes, six 50-mL beakers, and a 10-mL graduated cylinder. The main equipment used for this experiment
is the conductivity meter.

Procedures
The first section for this experiment was the sample preparation. The five samples, 0.1M HCl,
0.1M NH4Cl, 0.1M NaCl, 0.1M NaC2H3O2, and the 0.1M NaOH was prepared by transferring 10 mL of
the respective solutions into each of the five test tubes separately.
After preparation, came with the methods of operating the conductivity meter. For this method,
the electrode from the conductivity meter was immersed in each of the samples in order to measure the
conductance of the samples. It was taken into consideration that the electrode was washed with deionized
water and dried with tissue paper before immersing into the next solution. For the treatment of results,
came with formulating equations for the dissociation of each electrolyte used in the solution. The samples
were then grouped, those that contain chloride ions and those that contain sodium ions. For those
containing chloride ions, the samples were tabulated with increasing order of the conductance. The same
method was employed for the samples that contain sodium ions.
The second section for this experiment was the determination of dissociation constant of a weak
electrolyte. For this method, samples were made in a 50-mL beaker by preparing six solutions of
%volume concentrations of 0.01M KOH and water. After preparation came the measuring of the

Lab Report | January 15, 2021 Page | 4

 Mapua University
School of Chemical, Biological, and
Materials Engineering and Sciences

Physical Chemistry 2 Laboratory

Second Quarter AY 2020-2021

conductance of each of the solutions prepared. Lastly, two samples of 10-mL of 1.0M and 0.1M ammonia
solution were prepared in two separate test tubes, and then conductance from each of the solutions was
measured. For the treatment of results, the concentrations of the potassium hydroxide (KOH) were
calculated in each of the solutions prepared and was tabulated against its respective conductance.
Eventually, the concentration was plotted in a graph against the conductance. The equation formed from
the graph was used to determine the concentration of the potassium hydroxide solution that has the same
conductance as the ammonia solutions used. Eventually, the chemical equation for the dissociation of
ammonia in an aqueous solution was determined. Lastly, the dissociation constant of the ammonia
solution was calculated from the data of the concentrations in each of the sample solutions used.

Results and Discussion

The experiment aims to determine the relative mobility of some monovalent ions by measuring
the conductance of solutions of electrolytes and to determine the dissociation constant of a weak
electrolyte.
Table 1. Ionic Strength and Dissociation Equation of the Solution
Solution Ionic Strength Dissociation Equation
(M)
NH4Cl 0.1 NH4Cl ↔ NH4+ + Cl-
HCl 0.1 HCl ↔H+ + Cl-
NaCl 0.1 NaCl ↔Na+ + Cl-
NaC2H3O2 0.1 NaC2H3O2 ↔ Na+ + C2H3O2-
NaOH 0.1 NaOH ↔ Na+ + OH-

In Table 1, the ionic Strength and the dissociation equation of each solution are displayed. The
ionic strength refers to the concentration of the ions in the solution. Throughout the course of the
experiment, an ionic strength of 0.1 M was utilized for all of the samples. On the other hand, the
dissociation equation displays the ions which will form, after the solution dissociates.

Table 2. Relative Mobility of Selected Ions

Ion Relative Mobility
NH4+ 1.001
Cl- 1.038
H+ 4.763
Na+ 0.682
C2H3O2- 0.556
OH- 2.690
Source: UNSW Sydney College of Medicine (Ionic Mobility Tables)

As shown in Table 2, as observed that at a higher value of the ionic conductivity the higher the
relative mobility of the ions, hence it is best described that both parameters of the ions is directly
proportional to each other. Accordingly, this supports the theory that ions are more likely to be in motion
in an electrolyte solution as the ionic conductivity of the system is at large values.

Table 3.1 Electrolytic Conductance and Relative Mobility of Solution Containing Chloride Ions
Solution Conductance (in mS) Relative Mobility of Cation

Lab Report | January 15, 2021 Page | 5

 Mapua University
School of Chemical, Biological, and
Materials Engineering and Sciences

Physical Chemistry 2 Laboratory

Second Quarter AY 2020-2021

NH4Cl 14.57 1.001

NaCl 20.5 0.682
HCl 52.6 4.763

Table 3.2 Electrolytic Conductance and Relative Mobility of Solution Containing Sodium Ions
Solution Conductance (in mS) Relative Mobility of Anion
NaC2H3O2 9.64 0.556
NaCl 20.5 1.038
NaOH 22.60 2.690

From Table 3.1 and 3.2, the conductance of the solutions was inferred to the relative mobility of
its corresponding ion. The solutions containing chloride ions were inferred to cation and the solutions
containing sodium ions were inferred to anion. It can be observed that small ions such as hydrogen ions
have higher mobility and conductance compared to larger ions. The data shows that the relative mobility
of ions is faster with the higher conductance. Therefore, there is proportionality between the relative
mobility and the electrolytic conductance.

Table 4. Conductance of Potassium Hydroxide Solutions at Various Concentrations

Mixture Concentration (in M) Conductance (mS)
1 0.01 3.53
2 0.008 2.82
3 0.006 1.967
4 0.004 1.270
5 0.002 0.624
6 0.000385 0.1003

The dilution ratio of the mixture is considered as a factor that influences the ability of a solution
to transmit an electric current (Popek, 2018). The concentration of the solution decreases by 0.002 per
mixture, from 0.01 until it reaches the concentration of 0.002. At the 6 th mixture, the concentration value
was given at 0.000385. The tabulated results show that the conductance of the Potassium Hydroxide
solution is directly proportional to the concentration of the solution as presented in the table below (see
Table 4.). Since there are more charge carriers at a higher concentration, there will be an increase in the
conductivity of electrolytes.

4
3.5
3 f(x) = 359.13 x − 0.1
R² = 1
2.5
Conductance

2
1.5
1
0.5
0
-0.5
0
Lab Report | January 15, 2021 0 0 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 Page | 6
Concentration
 Mapua University
School of Chemical, Biological, and
Materials Engineering and Sciences

Physical Chemistry 2 Laboratory

Second Quarter AY 2020-2021

Figure 1. Concentration vs Conductance of the Potassium Hydroxide Solutions

y=359.13 x−0.1018 (eq. 1)

The figure above (see Fig. 1) presents the conductance of the Potassium Hydroxide solution with
respect to the increasing concentration of the mixture. The plot of the calculated data showed that the
relationship between the two variables is linear. The acquired linear equation from the graph can be
located below the figure (see Eq. 1). It is used to calculate the dissociation constant based on the
concentration and the determined conductance of the solution.

Table 5. Conductance and Dissociation Constants of Ammonium Hydroxide

Sample Conductance (in mS) Dissociation Constant
1 M NH4OH 0.7320 5.4029x10-6
0.01 M NH4OH 0.0308 1.3638x10-7

Table 5 shows the measured conductance and calculated dissociated constant of the ammonium
hydroxide solutions. According to Kraus and Bray (1913), there is a general relation between the
concentration and conductance of a solution. Concentration is directly proportional to the conductance
which validates the results obtained where the concentrated solution has the higher conductance.
Additionally, the solution with the higher conductance and concentration has the higher dissociation
constant. It is because the solution with the lower concentration dissociates more than the concentrated
solution.

Conclusion
Conductance is an electrical property of solutions that can be measured by immersing two
electrodes in a solution by applying a voltage. It is the reciprocal of resistance and it has reciprocal of
ohms which is in units mho or siemens. Before the experiment proper, several samples were prepared by
transferring into their respective test tubes. The experiment contains two parts which were the operation
of the conductivity meter and the second was the determination of the dissociation constant of the
electrolyte. It is concluded in the experiment that the conductance of electrolytic solutions depends on the
nature of the ions present through their mobilities and charges, the concentration of the ion, and also the
conductance behavior which is different for a strong and weak electrolyte. If the solution has a high
resistance it has low conductance due to its mathematical equation in which stated that conductance is

Lab Report | January 15, 2021 Page | 7

 Mapua University
School of Chemical, Biological, and
Materials Engineering and Sciences

Physical Chemistry 2 Laboratory

Second Quarter AY 2020-2021

equal to the inverse of resistance. However, there is a direct relationship between the concentration and
the conductance based on the obtained results in the conductance of potassium hydroxide solution vs the
concentration of the mixture.
Subsequently, the dissociation constant, ka of weak electrolyte may be obtained from the Ostwald
dilution law. Strong electrolytes can dissociate completely in water in forming ions while the weak
electrolyte dissociates partially in water from its ions. Solution’s conductance depends on the degree of
the dissociation of the electrolyte in which the higher the degree of the dissociation of electrolyte, the
larger the number of the ions were produced in the solution which will give a better conductivity in the
electrolyte. The objectives were clearly achieved based on the results that were given which is necessary
for a variety of fields in science, especially in chemical engineering.

Lab Report | January 15, 2021 Page | 8

 Mapua University
School of Chemical, Biological, and
Materials Engineering and Sciences

Physical Chemistry 2 Laboratory

Second Quarter AY 2020-2021

References
Kraus, C., & Bray, W. (1913). A General Relation Between the Concentration and the Conductance of
Ionized Substances in Various Solvents. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 35(10),
1315-1434. doi:https://doi.org/10.1021/ja02199a001
Popek, E. P. (2018). Practical Approach to Sampling. Sampling and analysis of environmental chemical
pollutants (2nd ed., pp. 145-225). Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier.
doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-803202-2.00004-5
Stephen, L. (2018). Chem1 Virtual Textbook. Retrieved from
http://www.chem1.com/acad/webtext/virtualtextbook.html
UNSW. (2012). Ionic Mobility Tables. Retrieved January 27, from
https://medicalsciences.med.unsw.edu.au/research/research-services/ies/ionicmobilitytables

Appendix
Sample Calculations:

Concentration for Mixture 2:

M 1 V 1=M 2 V 2

20 25
(0.01 M )( )=M 2 ( )
100 100

M 2=0.008

Value of x for 1M NH4OH:

y = 0.732

y=359.13 x−0.1018

x=0.002322

For 1 M NH4OH: NH4OH ↔ NH4+ +

OH-
I 1M 0 0
C -x x x
E 1M-x x x

Ka=¿ ¿

Ka=5.4029 ×10−6

Lab Report | January 15, 2021 Page | 9