Conductivity

CONDUCTIVITY
AIM
To find the conductivity of given water sample.
INTRODUCTION
Conductivity of a substance is defined as 'the ability or power to conduct or
transmit heat, electricity or sound'. When an electrical potential difference is
placed across a conductor, its movable charges flow, giving rise to an electric
current. This property is called conductivity. Since the charge on ions in solution
facilitates the conductance of electrical current, the conductivity of a solution is
proportional to its ion concentration.
The electrical conductivity can be expressed as mhos (Reciprocal of ohms) or as
siemens. The conductivity of water is a measure of the ability of water to carry
an electric current. In most water, the conductivity is very low, so millisiemens
or microsiemens are used as units for water conductivity. The conductivity of
water is directly linked to the concentration of the ions and their mobility. The
ions in water acts as electrolytes and conducts the electricity.
The conductivity depends on the value of the pH, on the temperature of
measurement and on the amount of CO2 which has been dissolved in the water
to form ions. The conductivity is also affected by the concentration of ions
already present in the water such as chloride, sodium and ammonium. Chemical
composition of water determines its conductivity. Hence this becomes the most
widely used measure of the purity of water.
ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE
Electrical conductivity measurements are often employed to monitor
desalination plants.
It is useful to assess the source of pollution.
In coastal regions, conductivity data can be used to decide the extent of
intrusion of sea water into ground water.
Conductivity data is useful in determining the suitability of water and
wastewater for disposal on land. Irrigation waters up to 2 millisiemens / cm
conductance have been found to be suitable for irrigation depending on soils
and climatic characteristics.
It is also used indirectly to fine out inorganic dissolved solids.
PRINCIPLE
Conductivity is measured with a probe and a meter. A voltage is applied
between the two electrodes in the probe immersed in the sample water. The drop
in voltage caused by the resistance of the water is used to calculate the
conductivity per centimeter.
Conductivity (G), the inverse of resistivity (R) is determined from the voltage
and current values according to Ohms law. i.e. R=V/I then, G=1/R=I/V.
The meter converts the probe measurement to micro mhos per centimeter and
displays the result for the user
MATERIALS REQUIRED
1. Conductivity meter
2. Testing jars
3. Samples
SAMPLE HANDLING AND PRESERVATION
Water samples should be collected in plastic cans or glass bottles. All bottles
must be cleaned thoroughly in phosphate-free detergent and rinsed thoroughly
with both tap and distilled water.
Volume collected should be sufficient to insure a representative sample, allow
for replicate analysis (if required), and minimize waste disposal.
Analysis should begin as soon as possible after the collection. If the analysis is
not completed within 12 hours of sample collection, sample should be filtered
through a 0.45 filter paper and stored at 4C. High quality distilled water must
be used for washing the filter and apparatus and needs to be rinsed with sample
before use.
No chemical preservation is required. Keep the samples at 4C. Do not allow
samples to freeze.
PRECAUTIONS
The following precautions should be observed while performing the
experiment:
Switch on the conductivity meter for at least 30 minutes before starting the
experiment so that the instrument gets stabilizes.
As it involves instruments for analyzing do not forget to calibrate the
instrument.
Always prepare the calibration solution freshly before the start of the
experiment.
As conductance is influenced by temperature, always use a conductivity
meter with temperature control.
Always dip the electrode in distilled water and do not expose it to air.
CONDUCTIVITY METER
An electrical conductivity meter is used to measure the conductivity in a
solution. Basically the conductivity unit consists of
Conductivity Meter
Electrode / ATC probe
Before starting the experiment, switch on the instrument for at least 30 minutes,
so that the instrument stabilizes. Using the same electrode the Conductivity
meter can measure three parameters
1. Conductivity
2. Salinity
3. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
The room temperature can also be displayed using Automatic temperature
control (ATC) probe. The mode button is pressed to select the parameter to be
measured. The display can show conductivity reading in micro Siemens. The
conductivity of a solution is highly influenced by temperature therefore it is
necessary to calibrate the instrument at the same temperature as the solution is
being measured.
PROCEDURE
Rinse the electrode thoroughly with deionized water and carefully wipe with
a tissue paper.
Place the water sample under the electrode.
Dip the electrode into the sample solution taken in a beaker and wait for a
steady reading. Make sure that the instrument is giving stable reading.
Note down the reading in the display directly, which is expressed in micro
Siemens.
ERROR CORRECTION
It is sometimes possible that the conductivity meter may not be working
properly so there is a need to apply the correction.
Measure the conductivity of deionized or distilled water. It should be zero. If the

conductivity of deionized water is 0.5 micro Siemens than there is no error in
the conductivity meter. If the conductivity meter shows some reading than that
reading is subtracted from the results obtained by measuring the conductivity of
water samples.
RESULTS
Conductivity of Deionized Water = 44 S
Error = 43.5
Temperature = 25 C
SAMPLE
Sample no.1
Sample no.2
Sample no.3
COMMENTS
CONDUCTIVITY(S)
314
283
585
CORRECTED
270.5
239.5
541.5

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CONDUCTIVITY

Measure the conductivity of deionized or distilled water. It should be zero. If the

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