Compare the conductance of an insoluble salt with soluble one

In summary, the conductance of an insoluble salt is generally much lower than that of a soluble salt due to the limited dissociation of ions in solution. Soluble salts dissociate completely into their constituent ions, allowing for greater electrical conductivity. In contrast, insoluble salts do not dissociate significantly in water, resulting in minimal ion availability and thus lower conductance.
  • #1
Aurelius120
251
24
Homework Statement
Conductances of ##\ce{NaCl}## and ##\ce{BaSO_4}## saturated solutions are ##C_{NaCl}## and ##C_{BaSO_4}##. If ##T## is temperature, which of the following is false?
Relevant Equations
NA
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Options (a) and (b) are facts and therefore correct.
Since ionic bonds weaken with temperature, ionic mobilities should increase with temperature.
Also in physics, we learnt that the resistance of every material other than conductors (i.e. semi-conductors, insulators and electrolytes decreases with increase in temperature)
The confusion is between options (c) and (d) and both of them are marked as correct answers across different sources on the web.
Since ##\ce{NaCl}## is a strong electrolyte and completely soluble, it's conductances should but vary negligibly with temperature, therefore (c) maybe incorrect. But it does increase.
Option (d) seems true since ##NaCl## is a stronger electrolytes than ##BaSO_4##. But it is also true that
1000015979.jpg

The molar conductivity (and consequently the conductivity & conductance) of a dilute weak electrolyte are much higher than those of strong electrolyte at any concentration. Also ##\ce{BaSO_4}## will show greater increase in dissociation with rise in temperature and thus the statement cannot be true for all temperatures(then again maybe saturated implies no ppt. to dissociate on heating).
So what is the correct answer to this question? Or this question simply wrong?
 
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  • #2
I would like to confirm (a). Does ionic mobility increase with T ? Does hot water help or prevent ions to go through ?
 
  • #3
anuttarasammyak said:
I would like to confirm (a). Does ionic mobility increase with T ? Does hot water help or prevent ions to go through ?
(a) should be correct.
Like I said temperature decreases inter particle forces. Unlike conductors where it increases collisions( to decrease conductance ),it should increase conductance
Otherwise (b) and maybe (c) will be incorrect.
 

FAQ: Compare the conductance of an insoluble salt with soluble one

What is the primary difference in conductance between insoluble and soluble salts?

The primary difference lies in their ability to dissociate into ions in water. Soluble salts dissociate completely, producing a high concentration of ions, which results in high conductance. Insoluble salts, on the other hand, do not dissociate significantly, leading to low conductance.

Why do soluble salts have higher conductance compared to insoluble salts?

Soluble salts have higher conductance because they dissolve fully in water, releasing a large number of ions that can move freely and carry electric current. Insoluble salts do not release many ions into the solution, leading to poor conductance.

How does the solubility of a salt affect its electrical conductivity?

The solubility of a salt directly affects its electrical conductivity. Higher solubility means more ions are released into the solution, increasing the solution's ability to conduct electricity. Lower solubility results in fewer ions and thus lower conductivity.

Can an insoluble salt conduct electricity at all?

While insoluble salts generally have very low conductance, they can still conduct electricity to a minimal extent due to the small number of ions that may be present in the solution. However, this conductance is usually negligible compared to that of soluble salts.

Are there any practical applications where the conductance of insoluble salts is utilized?

Insoluble salts are typically not used for their conductance properties. However, they can be used in applications where low solubility is desired, such as in certain types of sensors or in materials that require minimal ionic movement. Their low conductance can also be advantageous in preventing unwanted electrical pathways in certain electronic components.

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