Electrical Conductivity And Electrolytes

Question 1

What creates an electric current in a solution?

Answer 1

The movement of the charged ions in the solution forming the electric current.

Question 2

How do you know when a substance will be a good conductor?

Answer 2

A substance that produces free ions when dissolved in water will be a good conductor.

Question 3

How does a measure of solubility relate to conducting an electric current?

Answer 3

The ability of a solution with an ionic compound to conduct an electric current is directly proportional to the measure of solubility in the ionic substance.

Question 4

Describe the relationship between solubility, ions and conductivity.

Answer 4

More soluble = more free ions = better conductivity

Question 5

Why can’t sugar conduct an electric current even though it is soluble?

Answer 5

Sugar - soluble, but it cannot conduct an electric current because it does not dissolve into free ions.
A measure of solubility of the molecule does not make it able to conduct electricity.

Question 6

What substances can be used as an electrolyte.

Answer 6

Acids
bases
salts - ionic substance

Question 7

Name the factors that affect conductivity.

Answer 7

1) Nature of the substance
2) Solubility of substance
3) Concentration of Solution
4) Temperature

Question 8

Any chemical equation what is important to remember for dissolving substances.

Answer 8

Position of H20 - ionic (dissociation) / covalent (ionisation)
Charges of the products - ions
Phases of reactants and products