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Conductivity Equation:
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The conductivity equation (κ = G × K) calculates the electrical conductivity of a solution, where κ is conductivity, G is conductance, and K is the cell constant. This measurement is fundamental in chemistry labs for determining ionic concentration in solutions.
The calculator uses the conductivity equation:
Where:
Explanation: The cell constant accounts for the geometry of the conductivity cell, while conductance measures the solution's ability to conduct electric current.
Details: Conductivity measurements are essential for water quality testing, monitoring ionic strength in chemical processes, and studying electrolyte behavior in solutions.
Tips: Enter conductance in siemens (S) and cell constant in cm⁻¹. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the conductivity in S/cm.
Q1: What is the typical range for conductivity values?
A: Pure water has very low conductivity (0.055 μS/cm), while seawater can be around 50 mS/cm. Strong electrolyte solutions can reach several S/cm.
Q2: How is the cell constant determined?
A: The cell constant is typically determined by measuring the conductance of a standard KCl solution with known conductivity.
Q3: Does temperature affect conductivity measurements?
A: Yes, conductivity increases with temperature. Most instruments automatically compensate for temperature (typically to 25°C).
Q4: What's the difference between conductivity and conductance?
A: Conductance is the measured property of a specific cell/solution combination, while conductivity is an intrinsic property of the solution itself.
Q5: When should conductivity measurements be used instead of other analytical methods?
A: Conductivity is excellent for monitoring total ion concentration but cannot distinguish between different ions. It's often used for rapid screening and process control.