Question

Answer the following:

What is Kohlrausch law of independent migration of ions? How is it useful in obtaining molar conductivity at zero concentration of a weak electrolyte? Explain with an example.

Answer 1

1) Kohlrausch law states that “at infinite dilution each ion migrates independent of co-ion and contributes to total molar conductivity of an electrolyte irrespective of the nature of other ions to which it is associated.”

2) Both cation and anion contribute to molar conductivity of the electrolyte at zero concentration and thus ∧0 is the sum of molar conductivity of cation and that of the anion at zero concentration.

Thus, Λ₀ `= "n"_+lambda_+^0 + "n"_(_) lambda_(-)^0`

where λ₊ and λ_{_} are molar conductivities of cation and anion, respectively, n₊ and n_– are the number of moles of cation and anion specified in the chemical formula of the electrolyte.

3) Determination of molar conductivity of weak electrolyte at zero concentration:
The theory is particularly useful in calculating ∧0 values of weak electrolytes from those of strong electrolytes.

For example, ∧₀ of acetic acid can be calculated by knowing those of HCl, NaCl and CH₃COONa as described below:

Λ₀ (HCl) + Λ₀ (CH₃COONa) - Λ₀ (NaCl)

`= lambda_("H"^+)^0 + lambda_("Cl"^-)^0 + lambda_("CH"_3"COO"^-)^0 + lambda_("Na"^+)^0 - lambda_("Na"^+)^0 - lambda_("Cl"^-)^0`

`= lambda_("H"^+)^0 + lambda_("CH"_3"COO"_-)^0` = Λ₀ (CH₃COONa)

Thus, Λ₀ (CH₃COONa) = Λ₀ (HCl) + Λ₀ (CH₃COONa) - Λ₀ (NaCl).

Because Λ₀ values of strong electrolytes, HCl, CH₃COONa and NaCl, can be determined by extrapolation method, the Λ₀ of acetic acid can be obtained.