Conductivity of Ionic Solutions

Ma. Cristina F. Areola, April Star L. Canonizado, Paula Marie Cuna, Moises Jeremiah Dela Cruz, John Dembert Marcos and Drexell M. Parcon Department of Natural Sciences, College of Science Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Sta. Mesa, Manila, Philippines

Abstract: This experiment aims to to determine the end point and test the conductivity of the ionic solutions. A light bulb electrical conductivity tester was assembled and used as a technique to test the conductivity of the ionic solutions. The end point was determined by titrating the titrant (sulfuric acid) to four different volume of the analyte (barium hydroxide) and observing on what volume of the titrant will reach the end point. Reaching the endpoint, the light bulb went out because of being non conductive of the solution. After the end point was reached, the light began to glows again and a precipitate was also formed which was the barium sulfate as salt in the solution. Introduction: The conductivity or specific conductance of an electrolyte solution is a measure of its ability to conduct electricity. Substances that are capable of conducting an electric current in solution are known as electrolytes. Ionic compounds are electrolytes since they form positively and negatively charged ions in solution to conduct the electrical charges. Electrolytes are divided into three substances: Acids, Bases, and Salts. Not all electrolytes conduct electricity to the same degree. Non-electrolytes are compounds that do not conduct electric currents in aqueous solutions. Most molecular (covalent) compounds are non-electrolytes since there are no positively and negatively charged ions in solution to conduct the electrical charges. Electrolytes dissolve in water and dissociate, at least partially, into free ions. In a solution of electrolytes, several different species might be present, including intact molecules and dissociated ions. Strong electrolytes dissociate completely into ions. As what is used in this experiment, barium hydroxide and sulfuric acid are strong base and strong acid, respectively. Titrimetry with electrical conductivity are used as a technique to determine the endpoint. End point is a physical change in the solution as determined by an indicator. The purpose of this experiment is to determine the end point and test the conductivity of the ionic solutions. Experimental: Materials and equipment In order to perform this experiment, different apparatus were used such as acid buret, 200 mL beaker, spatula, 500 mL volumetric flask, stirring rod, watch glass, lightbulb conductivity tester, magnetic stirrer, and 10 mL pipette. For the reagents used, 0.1 M H2SO4 and 0.1 M Ba(OH)2 were prepared. Methodology For the conductivity test of the ionic solutions, 0.1 M H2SO4 and 0.1 M Ba(OH)2 were prepared as the titrant and analyte, respectively. The apparatus was assembled as shown in the figure 1.

Figure 1. conductivity tester apparatus

The stir bar was placed in the 200-mL beaker and poured varying volume (15 mL, 20 mL, 25 mL, 30 mL) of the analyte into the beaker. Every poured analyte was mixed with a 20 mL amount of distilled water (the addition of distilled water will lower the concentration of the barium hydroxide). The buret was filled with 0.1 M H2SO4 and mounted it on the stand over the beaker. The electodes of the conductivity tester were immersed in the solution and turning on the tester to be sure that the bulb lights. Every volume of the analyte was titrated; the electrodes were rinse with distilled water before using it again. The H2SO4 was initially added to the Ba(OH)2 where the light bulb glowed but later on when the end point reached, the light bulb dims and eventually goes out. Results and discussion: Table 1. End Points of Acid-Base titration Volume of analyte ( 0.1 M Ba(OH)2), mL 15 mL 20 mL 25 mL 30 mL Volume of the titrant (0.1 M H2SO4) added, mL (End Points) 15.3 mL 20.5 mL 25 mL 29.9 mL

The net result of these two processes is the removal of the ions from the solution. Because the ions are responsible for the electrical conductivity of the solution, the electrical conductivity decreases when the ions are removed. When a stochiometric amount of sulfuric acid is added to the barium hydroxide, virtually all of the ions are removed from the solution. From the observations and results of the experiment, the light bulb glowed when either H2SO4 or BaSO4 was in excess as when an ionic solution is present. The light bulb glowed when the H2SO4 was initially added, but slowly dimmed as the BaSO4 was added. When the light went out, it meant the solution was no longer ionic in any way and thus the equivalence point was reached but not yet the end point. However, if we have used an indicator, it will be visible to know if it reaches end point such that the color of the indicator changes. It implies that the end point is reached because there is an excess BaSO4 that is added. Thus, the light comes back on at this point, which an ionic solution is present again. Table 1. End Points Volume of the added 0.1 M H2SO4, mL 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Volume of the 0.1 M Ba(OH)2, mL The graph shows that as the volume of the analyte increases, the volume of the titrant need to reach the end point also increases, thus they are directly proportional. End

The table shows the end points of the acid-base titration which is determined by electrical conductivity. The chemical reaction for this is as follows:

As sulfuric acid is added to barium hydroxide, two processes occurr that reduce the conductivity of the acid solution. One is the formation of water from the hydrogen ions in the acid and the hydroxide ions in the base:

The other reaction is the precipitation of barium sulfate as the sulfate ions in the acid react with the barium ions in the base:

Conclusion: The conductivity of a solution depends on the ions that are present in it. Barium hydroxide and sulfuric acid were strong electrolytes that are good conductors of electric current that brighten the light bulb. The end point in the acid-base titration was determined when the light bulb goes out which means that the the solution becomes non-conductive. However, when a there was an excess of BaSO4, an ionic solution, the light began to glow again since there was ions present again in the solution.

References: Brown, T., Le May, H.E., Bursten, B., Murphy, C., and Woodward, P. (2009). CHEMISTRY: the th Central Science (11 edition). Jurong, Singapore: Pearson Education South Asia PTE. LTD. Electrical Conductivity as an Endpoint Indicator. Retrieved October 5, 2012, from http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/@api/deki/pages/4613 /pdf Shakhashiri, Basssam Z. (1989). Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry (Volume 3). Madison, Wisconsin: The University of Wisconsin Press.