Electrical Conductivity of Liquids and Solutions
Description: The conductivity of water, solutions of acids and bases (strong and weak), salts, and nonconducting liquids are compared.
This demonstration is also available on video and JCE “Chemistry Comes Alive!” CD-Rom.
Source: UW Card Catalog
Year: 1999 Volume: 76 Page: 1311
Keywords: Liquids, Conductivity, Ions, Charge carriers, Circuit
Rating: 
Hazard: Medium
- Electrocution hazard
- Spill hazard
- Acute toxicity hazard
- Skin corrosion hazard
- Inhalation hazard
- Eye irritation hazard
- Corrosive to metals
- Flammable liquids
Effectiveness: Good
- Results are clearly observable
- Good connection from demo to course material
- Low failure rate
- Time to results is medium
- Contrast between systems’ behavior is obvious
Difficulty: Medium
- Procedures with some intermediate steps
- Cross contamination possible
- Use of live voltage
- Prior training recommended
- Careful manipulations are required
Safety Precautions:
- Gloves required
- UL approved three-prong plug and outlet required
- Eye protection required
- Insulated conductor required
- Absorbent material on hand
Class: Properties of Solutions, Equilibrium, Types of Chemical Reactions
Division: General, Physical Chemistry
Home| General Chemistry Demos| Physical Chemistry Demos