The Analysis of the Relation of Salt Conductivity

and Electrical Potential Difference

Felix Kanardy Sujono
SMAS BANGUN INSAN MANDIRI | Sec 4A – Steve Jobs
felix.k.sujono@sekolahbim.sch.id

Fellicia Lawrence
SMAS BANGUN INSAN MANDIRI | Sec 4A – Steve Jobs
fellicialawrence@sekolahbim.sch.id

Yumika Vanessya
SMAS BANGUN INSAN MANDIRI | Sec 4A – Steve Jobs
yumikavanessya@sekolahbim.sch.id

Clarence Audris
SMAS BANGUN INSAN MANDIRI | Sec 4A – Steve Jobs
clarenceaudris@sekolahbim.sch.id

Abstract. Saltwater can conduct electricity. Four teaspoons of salt and above is e-
nough to achieve a good amount of electric potential, however the electric potenti-
al cannot reach the maximum amount possible. The procedure was to add a gradu-
al amount of salt using the unit ‘teaspoon’ up to 12. Some teaspoon amounts were
skipped, such as 3½ to 7 and 10 to 12 due to the limited time we had to do the ex-
periment. The wires in the water were also put 5cm and 10cm apart to measure a-
ny difference if the distances were different. The maximum possible electric po-
tential was 3.3V. While the maximum electric potential from the saltwater was
2.4V for 5cm and 2.1V for 10cm. There was also an error in measuring the 1½th
teaspoon due to an unknown reason. It may have been due to the wetness of the
wire.
1 Introduction
In this research report, we will present a study related to the utilization of saltwater as an electricity
conductor. In an era of advancing technology, we need to know all possible electrical conductors that
may exist in or outside of nature.

1.1 Theory
Saltwater is a good conductor of electricity, which is greater than normal water. This is because salt
molecules contain sodium and chlorine ions (NaCl). The ions are then separated under the influence
of water molecules as salt dissolves in water. As a result, they are free to move around which helps
conduct electricity. Conductivity of saltwater is strongly influenced by temperature and ion
concentration.

1.2 Statement of Problem

As such, given a constant temperature, the conductivity of saltwater increases as more salt is dissolved
in the water. However, the rate of which the conductivity increases, to be more specific, the electric
potential of the circuit, is what we wish to analyze.

1.3 Purpose
By examining the relationship between salt concentration and the resulting electric voltage, this study
aims to identify the optimal point of salt concentration that can yield maximum electric voltage. The
outcomes of this research are anticipated to provide a deeper understanding of the factors influencing
the efficiency of utilizing saltwater as an electricity source.

2 Literature Review
2.1 Keyword Definitions
Here are the definitions of the keywords used below.
Conductivity: The rate at which heat passes through a specified material, expressed as the amount of
heat that flows per unit time through a unit area with a temperature gradient of one degree per unit
distance.
Conductor: A material or device that conducts or transmits heat, electricity, or sound, especially
when regarded in terms of its capacity to do this.
Salt: A white crystalline substance that gives seawater its characteristic taste and is used
for seasoning or preserving food.
Water and salt solution: salt dissolved in water
AA Battery: A small cylindrical cell battery of alkaline, lithium, or Ni-MH composition.
Battery holder: One or more compartments or chambers for holding one or more batteries.
Multimeter: An instrument designed to measure electric current, voltage, and usually resistance,
typically over several ranges of value.
Wire: Metal drawn out into the form of a thin flexible thread or rod.
Light bulb: A device used to turn electric energy to light through the use of a filament that is
protected inside the glass bulb filled with vacuum or inert gas.
Plastic container: Enclosures fabricated from plastic that are made to contain items.
Electric current: A flow of charged particles, such as electrons or ions, moving through an electrical
conductor or space. It is defined as the net rate of flow of electric charge through a surface.
Electric potential difference: The difference in electric potential between two points.
Teaspoon: A small spoon used typically for adding sugar to and stirring hot drinks or for eating some
soft foods.

Logarithmic curve: A curve that can be represented by y=log x

2.2 Hypothesis
We hypothesize that the relation of the electric potential in respect to the conductivity of salt will
increase in a logarithmic growth where y is 0 if x is 0. We hypothesize as so because as salt increases,
the electric potential will have to have a limit, which for the amount of salt required may or may not
approach infinity. Moreover, if no salt is added, the electric potential will be close to 0.

3 Method
The experiment is conducted in the Physics Lab at SMAS BANGUN INSAN MANDIRI school. The
experiment was started at 3.35pm and was completed 50 minutes later, exactly at 4.25pm.

3.1.1 Materials
These items were used for the experiment: 500ml drinking water, salt, container, teaspoon, copper
wire, crocodile clip, multimeter, batteries, battery holder, light bulb, paper for data, pencil, and a ruler.
The multimeter, wire, and the crocodile clip were supplied by the lab, while the other materials were
self-supplied. Due to the unavailability of distilled water, drinking water had to be used which was
filtered tap water. The process uses the eSpring water filter where the water goes through a carbon
filter and UV light.

3.2 Procedure
The procedure is divided into two: a fully closed circuit and the circuit through saltwater.

3.2.1 The Fully Closed Circuit

A series circuit was assembled with the light bulb and the multimeter. After that, the electric potential
was recorded onto the data paper.

3.2.1 The Circuit Through Saltwater

The next step was to fill in the container with water, up to 500ml. Then, the wires were put into the
container. One end was the crocodile clip while the other end was the copper wire. Then, both ends
were placed inside the water and positioned 10cm and 5cm between each other. The electric potential
for each of the distance were recorded onto the data paper.
After that, salt is added into the water to create the saltwater solution. We started with ¼ teaspoon of
salt, then added another ¼ to create half of a teaspoon of salt. Furthermore, another ½ teaspoon of salt
is added into the solution to create 1 teaspoon of salt. ½ teaspoons of salt were added afterwards.
For each addition of salt, the solution is stirred to allow the salt to dissolve and the electric potential
was recorded. This was done until the 12th teaspoon.

4 Results
The following graph models the result of the recorded data:

Recorded Electric Potential Graph

3.5
3
Electric Potential (V)

2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Teaspoons

5cm 10cm Maximum Voltage

The following table shows our recorded data:

Maximum defines the maximum possible electric potential through the closed series circuit.

Teaspoons of salt 5cm 10cm

Maximum 3.3V 3.3V
0 0V 0V
0.25 0V 0V
0.5 0.75V 0.25V
1 1V 1V
1.5 3V (Error) 3V (Error)
2 1V 1V
2.5 1.25V 1.25V
3 1.5V 1.4V
3.5 1.5V 1.4V
7 1.7V 1.7V
7.5 1.9V 2V
8 1.9V 2V
9 2.4V 2.1V
10 2.1V 2.1V
12 2V 2V

5 Discussion
As salt concentration in the water is not uniform, conductivity is not uniform as well. Hence,
sometimes the electric potential may be higher or lower than expected.
The cause of the “Error” occurring at 1.5 teaspoons of salt were not very clear. It may have been due
to the wire’s wetness.
Moreover, there is a skip between 3.5 teaspoons of salt and 7 teaspoons of salt. The reason for this is
due to the limited amount of time we had for the experiment.
6 Conclusions
The final curve speeds up very fast and decelerates as more salt is put into the solution. However,
saltwater’s conductivity is not that good as it cannot reach the maximum voltage measured on the
closed circuit. This somehow proves our hypothesis as the final curve almost resemble a logarithmic
growth. However, the maximum electric potential from the saltwater did not reach the maximum
electrical potential possible. Hence, we call this hypothesis a partially successful hypothesis.

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