Water not conducting in my experiment

In summary, the conversation revolved around the conductivity of water and whether it acts as a conductor of electricity. After conducting a simple experiment using tap water, a battery, and a light bulb, it was determined that water is not a conductor on its own, but rather the dissolved ions in the water allow it to conduct. The argument was settled when it was discovered that pure, deionized water does not exist naturally and must be constantly filtered to remove ions.
  • #1
linux kid
101
0
Last night my cousin and I were arguing the conductivity of water. I was taught that water is a conductor of electricity, but he claims otherwise.

So, we did a simple experiment using tap warm water, a 1.5v battery and small light bulb. It refused to conduct and the light bulb would not light.
We tried this on the - and + wires and my cousin claimed victory.

So what went wrong. Either I had a horrible teacher or I was just dreaming...
 
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  • #2
Pure water is non conducting as is most tap water. It is the dissolved ions in solution that allow water to conduct. For example copper has an electrical conductivity about 1.2 x 109 times greater than drinking water.
 
  • #3
Actually Tap water is not to bad of a conductor, if you had used a ohmmeter to conduct the test instead of a 1.5V battery and a light bulb, you would have incorrectly won the argument.

The fact remains that clean deionized water is a non conductor. It is also a fact that such water does not exist naturally. The deionization is temporary as a small percentage of water molecules tend to ionize naturally. DI water systems consist of plastic pipes and must be kept flowing continuously as to filter the natural ions which occur.
 

FAQ: Water not conducting in my experiment

Why is water not conducting in my experiment?

There could be several reasons for this. Water is a poor conductor of electricity, so it is possible that the materials or setup of your experiment is not conducive to electrical conductivity. Additionally, if the water used in the experiment is pure, it will not conduct electricity. Impurities, such as salts or minerals, are necessary for water to conduct electricity. Finally, the distance between the electrodes in your experiment may be too great for the electricity to travel through the water.

How can I make water conduct in my experiment?

In order for water to conduct electricity, you will need to add impurities such as salt or minerals to the water. You can also try adjusting the distance between the electrodes to see if that improves the conductivity. Another option is to use a different type of water, such as tap water, which may already contain impurities.

Can I use any type of water to conduct electricity in my experiment?

No, not all types of water will conduct electricity. Pure water, without any impurities, will not conduct electricity. You will need to add salts or minerals to the water in order for it to be conductive.

Is there a certain concentration of impurities that is best for water conductivity?

The ideal concentration of impurities for water conductivity will depend on the specific experiment and materials used. However, a general rule of thumb is that a higher concentration of impurities will result in better conductivity. It is important to note that too high of a concentration can also be detrimental to the experiment and should be avoided.

Is water conductivity affected by temperature?

Yes, temperature can affect the conductivity of water. In general, warmer water will conduct electricity better than colder water. This is because the increased temperature causes the molecules in the water to move faster, making it easier for the electricity to travel through them. However, extreme temperatures, either too hot or too cold, can also hinder conductivity. It is best to conduct experiments at room temperature for consistent results.

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