How Do You Determine Conductivity In Solutions?
Conductivity refers to the movement of electric current through a material. In solutions, conductivity is influenced by the presence of ions and their concentration (ref. Lenntech). Solutions of ionic compounds, like sodium chloride, or table salt, are rich with ions and thus have a high conductivity. In contrast, covalent compounds, like glucose or sugar, do not produce ions when dissolved, resulting in a low conductivity. Therefore, determining the conductivity of a solution can also reveal the concentration of ions in the solution. Equilibrate all solutions to room temperature, include a deionized distilled water sample as a control. Measure and record the temperature. Turn on instrument and baseline the conductivity meter according to manufacturer’s guidelines. Conductivity of liquids is most often reported in Siemens per meter. If possible, set the meter to report in these units. Measure the conductance of each solution in turn. Start with the control sample of water. Between samp
