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Question
Discuss the variation of conductivity and molar conductivity with concentration.
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Solution
Both conductivity and molar conductivity change with the change in concentration of electrolyte. Conductivity always decreases with decreasing the concentration of both weak and strong electrolytes. This can be explained by the fact that with dilution, the number of ions carrying electric current per unit volume decreases. The conductivity of a solution at any concentration is the conductivity of a unit volume of the solution placed between two platinum electrodes having a unit cross-sectional area and situated at a unit distance from each other.
This is clear from the following equation:
C = `(kappa A)/l` = κ ...(Both A and I are in appropriate units m or cm)
The molar conductivity of a solution at a given concentration is the conductivity of volume (V) of the solution containing one mole of electrolyte dissolved in it and placed between two electrodes of cross-sectional area (A), located at a unit distance from each other. So,

Plot of c1/2 versus molar conductivity for potassium chloride (a strong electrolyte) in aqueous solution.
∧m = `(kappa A)/l` = κ
Since l = 1 and A = V (volume in which one mole of electrolyte is dissolved.)
∧m = κ V
Molar conductivity increases with decreasing concentration. This is because the total volume (V) in which one mole of electrolyte is present also increases. It has been found that on dilution of the solution, the increase in volume is much more than the decrease in κ.
Strong Electrolytes: For strong electrolytes, the value of ∧m increases gradually with dilution, and it can be represented by the following equation:
∧m = `∧_m^0 - Ac^(1//2)`
It can be seen that if ∧m is plotted against c1/2, we get a straight line with intercept A and slope equal to ‘A’. The value of constant ‘A’ at a given solvent and temperature depends on the type of electrolyte, i.e., on the charges of the cation and anion produced on dissociation of the electrolyte in solution. Thus, NaCl, CaCl2, MgSO4 are known as 1-1, 2-1 and 2-2 electrolytes, respectively. The value of ‘A’ is the same for all electrolytes of the same type.
RELATED QUESTIONS
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`E_("F"_2//"F"^-)^Θ` = 2.87 V, `"E"_(("Li"^(+))//("Li"^-))^Θ` = − 3.5V, `"E"_(("Au"^(3+))//("Au"))^Θ` = 1.4 V, `"E"_(("Br"_(2))//("Br"^-))^Θ` = 1.09 V
| Column I | Column II |
| (i) F2 | (a) metal is the strongest reducing agent |
| (ii) Li | (b) metal ion which is the weakest oxidising agent |
| (iii) Au3+ | (c) non metal which is the best oxidising agent |
| (iv) Br– | (d) unreactive metal |
| (v) Au | (e) anion that can be oxidised by Au3+ |
| (vi) Li+ | (f) anion which is the weakest reducing agent |
| (vii) F– | (g) metal ion which is an oxidising agent |
Assertion: Copper sulphate can be stored in zinc vessel.
Reason: Zinc is less reactive than copper.
The limiting molar conductivities Λ° for NaCl, KBr and KCl are 126, 152 and 150 S cm2 mol–1 respectively. The limiting molar conductivity Λ° for NaBr is ______.
An increase in equivalent conductance of a strong electrolyte with dilution is mainly due to :-
The molar conductance of NaCl, HCl and CH3COONa at infinite dilution are 126.45, 426.16 and 91.0 S cm2 mol−1 respectively. The molar conductance of CH3COOH at infinite dilution is ______.
Choose the right option for your answer.
The molar conductivity of 0.007 M acetic acid is 20 S cm2 mol−1. What is the dissociation constant of acetic acid? Choose the correct option.
\[\begin{array}{cc}
\end{array}\]\[\begin{bmatrix}
\ce{\Lambda^{\circ}_{H^+} = 350 S cm^2 mol^{-1}}\\
\ce{\Lambda^{\circ}_{CH_3COO^-} = 50 S cm^2 mol^{-1}}
\end{bmatrix}\]
The molar conductivity of CH3COOH at infinite dilution is 390 Scm2/mol. Using the graph and given information, the molar conductivity of CH3COOK will be:

Given below are two statements:
Statements I: The limiting molar conductivity of KCl (strong electrolyte) is higher compared to that of CH3COOH (weak electrolyte).
Statement II: Molar conductivity decreases with decrease in concentration of electrolyte.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
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Conductivity of 2 × 10−3 M methanoic acid is 8 × 10−5 S cm−1. Calculate its molar conductivity and degree of dissociation if `∧_"m"^0` for methanoic acid, is 404 S cm2 mol−3.
