Explain the effect of dilution of solution on conductivity ?
Answer»
The conductance of a solution is due to the presence of ions in the solution. More the ions, higher is the conductance of the solution.
Conductivity or the specific conductance is the conductance of unit volume (1 cm ) of the electrolytic solution.
The conductivity of the electrolytic solution always decreases with the decrease in the concentration of the electrolyte or the increase in dilution of the solution.
On dilution, the concentration of the solution decreases, hence the number of (current carrying) ions per unit volume decreases. Therefore the conductivity of the solution decreases, with the decrease concentration or increase in dilution. (It is to be noted here that, molar conductivity increases with dilution.)