COURSE CODE: CHEM2673

COURSE TITLE: Core Chemistry Laboratory II

DATE: 04/02/2020

EXPERIMENT #3 – THE CONDUCTANCE OF STRONG AND WEAK

ELECTROLYTES

OBJECTIVES

 To determine conductivities at infinite dilution for strong and weak electrolytes using the
Onsager equation.
 To determine molar conductivities at infinite dilution and the equilibrium constant for
weak electrolytes graphically.
 Determine the equilibrium constant for the dissociation of a weak electrolyte.
  Operate and take conductivity measurements using a conductivity meter.
 To determine the cell constant of a conductivity cell.

INTRODUCTION

Strong electrolyte is one in which that completely ionizes in solution. They are good conductors
of electricity in aqueous solutions. The Onsager equation can be used to determine molar
conductivities Λm and molar conductivities at infinite dilution ΛO.

The Debye-Huckel Theory was proposed as a theoretical explanation for deviations of ideal
solutions of electrolytes.
It was based on the following assumptions:

1. If the solute is completely dissociated, it is an electrolyte.

2. Ions are spherical and non-polarized.

3. The solvent plays no role other than providing a medium of constant relative permittivity.

4. There is no electrostriction.

Taking these into account Onsager then derived an expression known as Kohlrausch's Law for
the molar conductivity, Λm.

Λm = ΛO – K √ c

Where Λm is the molar conductivity, ΛO is the molar conductivity at infinite dilution, K is a

constant and c is concentration.

A plot of Λm versus √𝐶 gives ΛO, the molar conductivity at infinite dilution.

Weak electrolytes are those that partially ionize in solutions. They have very few ions present in
solution and as a result, are poor conductors of electricity.

The dissociation of week electrolytes is considered to increase with increasing dilution of the
solution so that the dissociation constant of a weak acid may be given as follows

CH3OOH ⇌ CH3OO− + H+
(1 − α)C αC αC

𝐊 = [𝐂𝐇𝟑𝐎𝐎 −][𝐇 +] / [𝐂𝐇𝟑𝐎𝐎𝐇] = 𝛂2𝐂 / (𝟏 − 𝛂)

where α is the degree of dissociation.

If 𝛼 ≪ 1, 𝑲 ~ 𝛂2𝐂

For weak electrolytes, no linear relationship is shown.

RESULTS: Tables showing Conductivity readings for strong electrolyte, NaCl and weak
electrolyte, CH3COOH.

Table 1: Showing the volumes of stock and conductivity water present in test tubes and
concentrations.

Solution Number Volume of Stock (ml) Volume of Concentration of

 Conductivity Water solution in boiling
(ml) tube (m M)
1 20 0 20.00
2 20 5 16.00
3 20 10 13.33
4 10 10 10.00
5 10 20 6.67
6 5 20 4.00
7 2 20 1.82

Table 2: Conductivity Readings for strong electrolyte, NaCl

Solution Trial 1- Conductivity Trial 2- Conductivity Average

(μS/cm) (μS/cm) Conductivity (μS/cm)
1 1850.5 1788.1 1819.3
2 1632.3 1612.2 1622.2
3 1348.8 1312.8 1330.8
4 952.7 969.4 961.1
5 713.8 733.9 723.7
6 449.9 472.6 461.2
7 308.1 321.2 314.7

Table 3: Conductivity Readings and Concentrations for strong electrolyte, NaCl.

Solution Conductivity Conductivity Average Concentration Concentration √ c

on first on second Conductivity of Solution of Solution
reading reading Reading (mM) (mol/cm-3)
(Siemens/S) (Siemens/S) (Siemens/S)
1 0.001850 0.001788 0.001819 20.00 0.00002 0.004472135

2 0.001632 0.001612 0.001622 16.00 0.000016 0.004

3 0.001348 0.001312 0.001331 13.33 0.00001333 0.003651027
4 0.000952 0.000969 0.0009605 10.00 0.00001 0.003162277
5 0.000713 0.000733 0.000723 6.67 0.00000667 0.002582634
6 0.000449 0.000472 0.0004605 4.00 0.000004 0.002
7 0.000308 0.000321 0.0003145 1.82 0.00000182 0.001349073

Table 4: Table showing conductivity readings for weak electrolyte CH3COOH.

Solution Conductivity on first Conductivity on Average conductivity

reading (μS/cm) second reading (μS/cm)
(μS/cm)
1 242 239 240
 2 212 197.1 204.5
3 191 197.9 388.9
4 168.9 160.9 164.9
5 131.6 136.9 134.25
6 103.4 97.6 100.5
7 71.2 68.9 70.1

Table 5: Table showing Conductivity Readings and Concentrations for weak electrolyte,
CH3COOH.

Solutio Conductivit Conductivit Average Concentratio Concentratio √ c

n y on first y on second Conductivit n of Solution n of Solution
reading reading y Reading (mM) (mol/ cm-3)
(Siemens/S) (Siemens/S) (Siemens/S)
1 0.000242 0.000239 0.0002405 20.00 0.00002 0.00447213
5
2 0.000212 0.0001971 0.00020455 16.00 0.000016 0.004
3 0.0001914 0.0001979 0.00019465 13.33 0.00001333 0.00365102
7
4 0.0001689 0.0001609 0.0001649 10.00 0.00001 0.00316227
7
5 0.0001316 0.0001369 0.00013425 6.67 0.00000667 0.00258263
4
6 0.0001034 0.0000976 0.0001005 4.00 0.000004 0.002
7 0.0000712 0.0000689 0.00007005 1.82 0.00000182 0.00134907
3
Table 4: Table showing Λm (molar conductivities) for NaCl and CH3COOH (acetic acid)

Solution Λm NaCl (S cm2 Λm CH3COOH (S (1/ Λm) Λmc for

mol-1) cm2 mol-1) CH3COOH CH3COOH
1 90.95 12.03 0.083 0.0002406
2 101.38 12.78 0.078 0.00020448
3 99.85 14.6 0.0685 0.000194618
4 96.05 16.49 0.061 0.0001649
5 108.4 20.13 0.0497 0.000134267
6 115.3 25.13 0.040 0.00010052
7 172.8 38.49 0.026 0.000070051
DATA ANALYSIS

Strong Electrolyte

Graph 1: Graph showing Λm vs √c for NaCl, strong electrolyte.

Graph showing Λm vs √c for NaCl, strong electrolyte

200
180
160
140 f(x) = − 20545.3570103735 x + 174.377691330174
Λm (S cm2 mol-1)

R² = 0.677638763324036
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
0.001 0.0015 0.002 0.0025 0.003 0.0035 0.004 0.0045 0.005

√c (mol/ cm-3 )

Weak electrolyte
Graph 2: Graph showing 1/ Λm vs Λmc for weak electrolyte, CH3COOH.

Graph showing 1/ Λm vs Λmc for weak electrolyte, CH3COOH

0.09
f(x) = 338.868576687354 x + 0.00432100025061268
0.08 R² = 0.985152525101952
0.07

0.06
1/ Λm S-1 cm-2 mol1)

0.05

0.04

0.03

0.02

0.01

0
0.00006 0.00008 0.0001 0.00012 0.00014 0.00016 0.00018 0.0002 0.00022 0.00024 0.00026

Λmc (S cm-1)

DISCUSSION
From the experiment, the precautions that were taken is to reduce parallax error when pipetting
solutions and making the stock solution for both strong and weak electrolytes. It was ensured that
the conductivity meter was rinsed with conductivity water before each measurement in the test
tubes to prevent contamination and inaccurate readings.

The sources of error that can occur in this experiment include impurities in the electrolytes used
which can affect conductivity readings. Allowing the probe of the conductivity meter is another
source of error which can cause inaccurate readings. The probe must be fully submerged in
solution without touching the test tubes. When using the conductivity meter, not allowing the
measurement values to fluctuate and then signal the final value also affects calculations and
causes incorrect values to be obtained.

The improvements that can be made to the lab include having better operating conductivity
meters which were not fully functional and stopped working on two occasions. More equipment
should also be made available to students as it was limited. This can save time spent on the
experiment and promote efficient working.

MSDS
2M HCl-

Handling and storage- Wash hands and other exposed areas with mild soap and water before
eating, drinking or smoking and when leaving work. Provide good ventilation in process area to
prevent formation of vapor. Do not breathe mist, vapors, spray. Hygiene measures - Wash
exposed skin thoroughly after handling. Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.

First Aid Measures:

First-aid measures after inhalation: Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position
comfortable for breathing. Immediately call a poison center or doctor/physician.
First-aid measures after skin contact: Remove/Take off immediately all contaminated clothing.
Rinse skin with water/shower. Immediately call a poison center or doctor/physician.
First-aid measures after eye contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove
contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. Immediately call a poison center or
doctor/physician. First-aid measures after ingestion: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting.
Immediately call a poison center or doctor/physician

2M Acetic Acid

Handling and storage- Wash hands and other exposed areas with mild soap and water before
eating, drinking or smoking and when leaving work. Provide good ventilation in process area to
prevent formation of vapor. Do not breathe mist, vapors, spray.
Hygiene measures: Wash exposed skin thoroughly after handling. Wash contaminated clothing
before reuse.

First Aid Measures:

First-aid measures after inhalation: Allow victim to breathe fresh air. Allow the victim to rest.
Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. Immediately
call a poison center or doctor/physician.
First-aid measures after skin contact: Remove/Take off immediately all contaminated clothing.
Rinse skin with water/shower. Immediately call a poison center or doctor/physician.
First-aid measures after eye contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove
contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. Immediately call a poison center or
doctor/physician. First-aid measures after ingestion: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting.

Mandelic Acid

Handling and storage- Avoid breathing dust, mist, or vapor. Avoid contact with skin and eyes.
Storage: Store in a cool, dry place. Do not store in direct sunlight. Store in a tightly closed
container.

First Aid Measures:

Eyes: Flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting the upper and
lower eyelids. Get medical aid.
Skin: Get medical aid. Flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing
contaminated clothing and shoes.
Ingestion: Get medical aid. Wash mouth out with water.
Inhalation: Remove from exposure and move to fresh air immediately. If not breathing, give
artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical aid

NaCl

Handling and Storage- Use with adequate ventilation. Minimize dust generation and
accumulation. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing. Avoid ingestion and inhalation.
Storage: Store in a cool, dry place. Store in a tightly closed container.

First Aid Measures:

Eyes: Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting the
upper and lower eyelids. If irritation develops, get medical aid.
Skin: Immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing
contaminated clothing and shoes. Get medical aid if irritation develops or persists.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Get medical aid if irritation or symptoms occur.
Inhalation: Remove from exposure and move to fresh air immediately. If not breathing, give
artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical aid if cough or other
symptoms appear.
Notes to Physician: Treat symptomatically and supportively.