Experiment no. 7
Electrical Conductivity of Electrolytes and
Non-electrolytes
ABSTRACT
In this experiment, we observed the electrical properties of solutions and conductivity of the
reacting systems. For the electrical properties of solutions, reagents were placed in 100mL beakers and
are tested for electrical conductivity by dipping the electrodes into the reagents by using an electrical
conductivity apparatus; the electrodes were washed with distilled water and dried before submerging it
again into another reagent. For reacting systems, same procedures are done but the two solutions are
tested for the conductivity of the mixture off 1 M of ammonium hydroxide and 1 M acetic acid. Electrical
properties are observed and identified as electrolyte and non-electrolyte, intensity of brightness (bright/
dim/ no light), and strength of electrolyte (weak or strong). All methods used were effective in observing
the electrical properties of solutions and conductivity of the reacting systems.
INTRODUCTION
Electrical properties are dependent on the number and nature of the charged particles within the
solution, which move between electrodes under the influence of an electric current. Some solutions
exhibit electrical properties. Electrolytes are substances whose aqueous solutions are capable of
conducting an electric current. On the other hand, non-electrolytes are electrically non-conducting in a
solution and do not form ions.
Electrolytes that produce positively charged ions are called cations and the negatively charged
ions are called anions when they are dissolved in aqueous solutions. Strong electrolytes are classified
as those that are completely or almost completely ionized, while weak electrolytes are those that
produce comparatively few ions. Brightness is affected by how strong the electrolytes are, and are
distinguished as bright light, dim light and no light.
In determining the electrical properties of a solution, we have used different reagents to test
whether a solution is an electrolyte or non electrolyte. The following reagents are Distilled water, Tap
water, 12 M of HCl, 1 M of HCI, 1 M NaOH, 1 M NH 4Cl, 95% C2H5OH, 1 M NaCl, Conc. H2SO4, 1 M
H2SO4, 17 M CH3COOH, 1 M CH3COOH, Sodium chloride (crystals), Sucrose (crystals), and 5% sucrose
solution. Each reagent was placed in a separate 100mL beakers at about 1/3 full. Next, prepare the
conductivity apparatus with a lighting bulb and two electrodes. These electrodes will be soak in each
reagent and the bulb will emit a light depending on the electrical property of the solution. As the bulb emits
light, Observe the brightness if it has no light, dim light or bright light. After soaking the electrode, wash
the electrode with distilled water inside the wash bottle before dipping them into other samples to avoid
reactions between reagents. To determine the electrical conductivity of reacting systems, prepare 6mL of
1 M ammonium hydroxide in a 50mL beaker and place also an equal amount of 1 M acetic acid in another
50mL beaker. Test the conductivity of each reagent using the conductivity apparatus and again determine
the intensity of light it emits, as the electrode was soak into the solution. Next, mix the two solutions and
test its conductivity. In determining the electrical conductivity of a solution depending on the result of the
intensity of light, bright light means strong electrolyte, dim light means weak electrolyte and no light
means non electrolyte.
Solutions
Classification (Weak
electrolyte/strong electrolyte/nonelectrolyte)
Tap water
Dim light
Weak electrolyte
Distilled water
No light
Non - electrolyte
12 M HCl
Bright light
Strong electrolyte
1 M HCl
Bright light
Strong electrolyte
1 M NaOH
Bright light
Strong electrolyte
1 M NH4Cl
Bright light
Strong electrolyte
No light
Non - electrolyte
No light
Non - electrolyte
1 M NaCl
Bright light
Strong electrolyte
Conc. H2S04
Bright light
Strong electrolyte
1 M H2SO4
Bright light
Strong electrolyte
17 M CH3COOH
No light
Non - electrolyte
1 M CH3COOH
Dim light
Weak electrolyte
Sucrose (crystals)
No light
Non - electrolyte
5% sucrose solutions
No light
Non - electrolyte
B. R
e
a
c
ti
n
g
systems
Solutions
Classification (Weak
electrolyte/strong
electrolyte/non-electrolyte)
1 M NH4OH
Dim light
Weak electrolyte
1 M CH3COOH
Dim light
Weak electrolyte
Bright light
Strong electrolyte
1 M NH4OH + 1 M CH3COOH
REFERENCES
(1) Samonte J.L, Figueroa L.V General Chemistry Laboratory Manual 4th Edition, C&E
Publishing Inc., 2014.
(2) Zumdahl, S. (1997). Types of Chemical Reactions and Solution Stoichiometry. In Chemistry (4th ed.,
p. 137). Boston: Houghton Mifflin.