Experiment No.

2
CONDUCTIMETRY: DETERMINATION OF THE ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF
SOLUTIONS

Objectives
1. To determine the relative mobility of some monovalent ions by measuring the conductance
of solutions of electrolytes.
2. To determine the dissociation constant of a weak electrolyte.

Apparatus
Conductivity meter, 50 ml beakers, 10 ml graduated cylinder

Reagents
Deionized water, 0.1M HCl, 0.1M NH4Cl, 0.1M NaCl, 0.1M NaC2H3O2, 0.1M NaOH

Procedure

A. Electrolytic Conductance and Ionic Mobility

The speed of migration of the ions is one of the factors, which determines the
conductance of an electrolyte solution. The current flowing through the solution is carried
by the ions moving towards the electrodes. The current flowing through the solution will
be estimated by measuring the conductance of the solution through the following
procedures:
1. Assemble the set up for conductance measurement.
2. Prepare 10 ml of each of the following solutions in a test tube:
a. 0.1M ammonium chloride solution
b. 0.1M hydrochloric acid solution
c. 0.1M sodium chloride solution
d. 0.1M sodium acetate solution
e. 0.1M sodium hydroxide solution
3. Measure the conductance of each of the electrolyte solutions by immersing the
electrode in the solution.
4. Wash the electrode with deionized water then dry it with a tissue paper before
immersing it into another solution.

Treatment of Results
1. Write the equations for the dissociation of each of the electrolyte used.
2. Tabulate in increasing order the conductance of the solutions containing chloride ions. Infer
from these results the order for the relative mobility of the cations in the solutions.
3. Tabulate in increasing order the conductance of the solutions containing sodium ions. Infer
from these results the order for the relative mobility of the anions in the solutions.

B. Determination of Dissociation Constant of a Weak Electrolyte

 The dissociation constant of aqueous ammonia, a weak electrolyte, will be
determined through a conductimetric method. The concentration of the ions in the ammonia
solution will be obtained from the concentration of a potassium hydroxide solution
exhibiting the same conductance. Potassium hydroxide is a strong electrolyte whose ions
exhibit the same mobility as those in aqueous ammonia. The following procedures must be
followed:

1. Prepare the following mixtures in a 50 ml beaker:

Vol. 0.01M KOH,

MIXTURE Vol. Water, ml
ml
1 25.0 0.0
2 20.0 5.0
3 15.0 10.0
4 10.0 15.0
5 5.0 20.0
6 1.0 25.0

2. Measure the conductance of the above mixtures.

3. Pour 10 ml each of 1.0M and 0.1M ammonia solution into two separate test tubes, and
then measure the conductance of each solution.

Treatment of Results
1. Calculate the concentration of potassium hydroxide in each of the mixtures prepared.
2. Tabulate the concentration and the conductance of the potassium hydroxide solutions.
3. Plot the concentration versus conductance of the potassium hydroxide solutions.
4. Determine from the graph the concentration of the potassium hydroxide solution that
exhibits the same conductance as each of the ammonia solutions used. This concentration
is equal to the concentration of ammonia ionized in the solution.
5. Write the chemical equation for the dissociation of ammonia into ions in aqueous solution.
6. Using the concentration data obtained for each of the solutions used, calculate the
dissociation constant of ammonia solution.
Group No._________
Date:_______________________
Instructor:________________________

Name Signature
Leader: ____________________________ ______________________________
Members:____________________________ ______________________________
____________________________ ______________________________
____________________________ ______________________________
____________________________ ______________________________

FINAL DATA SHEET

A. Electrolytic Conductance and Ionic Mobility

Solution Conductance
0.1 M NH4Cl
0.1 M HCl
0.1 M NaCl
0.1 M NaC2H3O2
0.1 M NaOH

B. Determination of Dissociation Constant of a Weak Electrolyte

Volume Volume 0.01M

Mixture Conductance Concentration
Water KOH
1
2
3
4
5
6

Sample Conductance Dissociation Constant

1 M NH4OH
0.01 M NH4OH