Conductivity of Acetic-Acid – Water Mixtures
Description: Glacial acetic acid does not conduct electricity. Neither does distilled water. Mixing the two solutions creates a conductive liquid.
Source: UW Card Catalog
Year: N/A Vol. N/A Page: N/A
Keywords: Acetic acid, Electricity, Conductivity, Water
Rating: 
Hazard: Some
- Concentrated weak acid
- Electrocution hazard
- Inhalation hazard
- Flammability hazard
- Skin corrosion hazard
Effectiveness: Good
- Some connection from demo to course material
- Results are observable with guidance
- Good reliability
- Time to results is low
- Mild effects are seen by audience
- Counterintuitive effect
Difficulty: Medium
- Serial manipulations
- Some intermediate steps to results
- Exposure to live voltage
- Volume-dependent addition
Safety Precautions:
- Gloves required
- Eye protection required
- Electrically insulated spatula required
- Isolation transformer required in lieu of switch
- Use of UL approved three-prong plug and outlet
- Use caution when handling live electrical equipment
- Perform on electrically insulated surface
- ABC fire extinguisher on hand
Class: Physical Properties, Acid Base Chemistry
Division: General, Analytical Chemistry
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