Solutions : Electrolytes

Electrolytes vs. Non-Electrolytes

Explore the differences between electrolytes and non-electrolytes.
Learn more

Strength of Electrolytes

Determine the relationship between degree of dissociation, solute concentration, and electrolytic strength. Learn more

Compare the electrical conductivity of various concentrations of two aqueous solutions, one containing NaCl (saltwater) and the other containing sucrose (sugar water). Determine the solute concentration of an unknown sample by measuring its conductivity.

Lab Summary:

In this exploration, students will use a conductivity sensor to compare the electrical conductivity of two aqueous solutions, one containing sodium chloride (salt water) and the other containing sucrose (sugar water). They will then determine the concentration of an unknown sample by measuring its conductivity and identify the solute as either sodium chloride or sucrose.

Download Free Lab  (PDF, 440 KB)

(student version)

Method:

Use a Conductivity Sensor to compare the electrical conductivity of sodium chloride to sucrose at varying concentrations of each solute.

Here's What You Need:

Probeware

• PASPORT Conductivity Sensor (PS-2116A)
• Xplorer GLX Graphing Datalogger (PS-2002)
  (or alternate PASPORT interface -- see other options)

Other Materials

• Buret Clamp (SE-9446)
• 1.0 M sodium chloride, NaCl
• 1.0 M sucrose, C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁
• Salt solution of unknown concentration
• Water, distilled
• Beaker, 150 mL
• Test tube, medium
• Test tube rack
• Graduated cylinder, 100 mL
• Pipette with bulb, 10 mL
• Wash bottle and waste container

Lab Manual:

This activity is included in Explorations in Chemistry (PS-2808), complete with Teacher Information pages, student instructions and handouts, and sample data for a total of 25 probeware-based labs. For your convenience, we offer bundles which provide the probeware necessary for the activities in the manual. For more information on these resources and bundles, click here.

Test various concentrations of electrolytic solutions in order to determine the relationships among degree of dissociation, solute concentration, and electrolytic strength.

Lab Summary:

In this exploration, students will use a conductivity sensor and voltage/current sensor to test various concentrations of electrolytic solutions in order to determine the relationships among degree of dissociation, solute concentration, and electrolytic strength.

Download Free Lab  (PDF, 424 KB)

(student version)

Method:

Use the Conductivity Sensor and the Voltage/Current Sensor to test electrolyte solutions of various concentrations and determine the relationships among degree of dissociation, solute concentration, and electrolytic strength.

Here's What You Need:

Probeware

• PASPORT Conductivity Sensor (PS-2116A)
• PASPORT Voltage/Current Sensor (PS-2115)
• Xplorer GLX Graphing Datalogger (PS-2002)
  (or alternate PASPORT interface -- see other options)

Other Materials

• Small Tripod Base & Rod (SE-9451)
• Buret Clamp (SE-9446)
• Zinc wire/strip
• Copper wire
• Beaker, 150 mL
• 1.0 M hydrochloric acid, HCl
• 0.1 M hydrochloric acid, HCl
• Glacial acetic acid, CH₃CO₂H
• 0.1 M acetic acid, CH₃CO₂H
• 0.01 M calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)₂
• 0.1 M ammonia, NH₃
• 0.1 M copper(II) sulfate, CuSO₄
• 0.1 M ammonium chloride, NH₄Cl
• Water
• Water, distilled
• Wash bottle and waste container
• Cardboard or foam board

Lab Manual:

This activity is included in Explorations in Chemistry (PS-2808), complete with Teacher Information pages, student instructions and handouts, and sample data for a total of 25 probeware-based labs. For your convenience, we offer bundles which provide the probeware necessary for the activities in the manual. For more information on these resources and bundles, click here.