Factors Affecting Electrolytic Conductance and Working Procedure
The term electrolytic conductance is formed by connecting two important terms “electrolyte” and “conduction” or conductors”. It is important to first understand the meaning of these respective words. The electrolyte can be defined as a substance, which when dissolved in a polar solvent such as water produces electricity.
These electrolytes can only conduct electricity in the aqueous or molten form, and not in the solid-state. The process of dissolution of these substances in the solvent within the passage of an electric current is known as electrolysis. The second most important term for electrolytic conductance is known as “conductance” or “conductor”.
The study of electrolytic conduction is essential in developing foundation knowledge on more advanced topics such as electricity, batteries, or other electrical devices. Lastly, remember that any solution that enhances the movement of free-moving ions can be defined as electrolytic conductance. Different properties of this process can help in improving the level of dissociation of ions which improves the overall electrolytic conductance.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis is the process of decomposition of an electrolyte when the electricity passes through its aqueous solution or molten state. The apparatus where this process takes place is the Electrolytic cell.
What are Electrolytes?
When some substances dissolve in water, they undergo physical or chemical changes that generate ions in the solution which are called electrolytes. These electrolytes create electricity and can generate electricity only if they are in a liquid or molten state and not in their solid state. Substances that do not release ions when dissolved are known as non-electrolytes. If the chemical process generates 100% efficient ions then it is known as a strong electrolyte, but if it generates relatively weaker ions then it is known as a weak electrolyte.
Factors affecting Electrolytic Conductance
The Concentration of Ions in the Solution
The concentration of ions is the main factor that affects electrolytic conductance.
The conductance of the solution varies with the ion concentration. The conductivity of electrolytes will increase with the increase in the concentration of ions as there will be more charge carriers and the conductivity of electrolytes will be high, but if the concentration of ions is less then the conductivity of electrolyte will be less.
Type of Electrolyte
There are weak electrolytes and strong electrolytes, strong electrolytes get ionized completely in the solution whereas weak electrolytes do not. An example of a strong electrolyte is KNO3 and an example for a weak electrolyte is CH3COOH.
Temperature
Temperature is also one of the main factors as the ions should dissolve in the solution at a given temperature. So, at higher temperatures, the solubility is more.
Size of the Ion
The conductance of electrolytes depends on the size of the ion, the greater the size of the ion the lesser is the conductance. There you can say that Size of the ion is inversely proportional to the conductance of the ion.
Type of Solvent
The type of solvent is the fifth factor that affects electrolytic conductivity. Higher the polarity of the solvent type, the higher the conductivity.
Working Procedure of Electrolytic Conductance
Electrolyte conductance is the process that occurs in the presence of an electrolyte. The strength is transferred from cations and anions within side the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic conductance is characterized through equal conductance and is represented through the symbol “Λ”.
Λ = 1000 χ/c; where
Χ - particular conductance of the answer with the S.I unit ohm-1cm-1,
C - the concentration of the solution in grams equivalents per liter.
When the conductance reaches its maximum value, the solution has attained endless dilution, implying that every one molecule within side the electrolyte has dissolved into ions, producing conductance in cations and anions.
Furthermore, there are both strong and weak electrolytic conductors and the only one that completely dissociates is a powerful electrolytic conductor as they're made from strong bases and acids. Hydrochloric acid, sulphur dioxide, potassium iodide, and numerous inorganic salts, for example, are effective electrolytic conductors.
A weak electrolytic conductor is one that dissociates partly or insignificantly, permitting it to transmit energy to a restrained amount. A weak electrolytic conductor, in comparison to a strong electrolytic conductor, is made from weak bases and acids.
Calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, and chloride are a number of the most prevalent electrolytes. A few good examples of good conductors of electricity are Copper, silver, aluminium, and gold.
FAQs on Factors Affecting Electrolytic Conductance
1.What are the common properties of an electrolyte?
As you know an electrolyte is defined as a substance, which when dissolved in a polar solvent such as water produces electricity.
Some important properties of electrolytes are mentioned below:
In the case of strong electrolytes, complete ionization happens when ions get dissolved in the solution.
Weak electrolytes dissociate or ionize very little.
In the case of nonelectrolyte, it’s molecules do not dissociate at all to form ions.
When an electrolyte is dissolved in water then it gets separated as ions.
In an electrolyte solution containing multi charged ions, such as, Fe2+, Mg2+, SO42-and PO42- ,the tendency of forming ion pairs is much higher than the other solutions.
2. What are some common properties of a conductor?
Some of the common properties of a conductor are as mentioned below:
A good conductor has a very low resistivity. Moreover, it has a low-temperature or coefficient of resistivity.
Conductors can be metals as well as non-metals respectively.
Silver as a metal is considered to be the best conductor amongst all metals.
Graphite is an example of a non-metal which is also a conductor.
Other popular elements that can make good conductors are copper, gold, magnesium, beryllium, calcium, magnesium, rhodium, sodium, and iridium.
A conductor holds conductivity in order of 106 - 108 ohm-1.
All conductors possess electrical charges.
3. Name a few good conductors of electricity.
A few good examples of good conductors of electricity are copper, silver, aluminium, and gold.
4. What is the use of electrolytic cells?
It is generally used for the production of oxygen gas and hydrogen gas by undergoing electrolysis.
5. How does an electrolysis cell work?
When an external current flows through the cathode of the electrolytic cell, a negative charge attracts the dissociated positive ions present in the electrolyte. This causes positively charged ions to deposit on the cathode. At the same time, negatively charged ions flow to the positively charged anode.
6. What charges do electrodes of an electrolytic cell carry?
In an electrolytic cell, Cathode is negatively charged and the anode is positively charged, So the positive ions flow towards the cathode cell and negative ions flow towards the anode cell.
