Specific Conductivity and Molar Conductivity - Definition, Unit, Relation, FAQs

Here in this article we will be discussing about conductance, conductivity, symbol of conductance, what is specific conductance, definition of specific conductivity, unit of specific conductivity, Specific conductivity of a solution, ratio of specific conductance to that of conductance, definition and relationship between conductivity and molar conductivity, what is equivalent conductivity and everything related to specific and molar conductivity will be discussed here.

What is meant by Conductance?

The term conductance is the reciprocal of resistance and it is denoted by the symbol G. Conductance can be defined as the measure of ease of current flow through a conductor. It can be given by the formula:

Conductance, G=1/R ……………(1)

In equation (1), ‘R’ is the resistance of the conductor. The unit of conductance is ohm^-1 or Ω^-1 and its SI unit is Siemens or S.

The conductance of a material generally depends on the following factors:

• The nature of the metal.
• The number of valence electrons present per atom.
• Temperature (conductance generally decreases with increase in temperature).

Also read -

• NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Chemistry
• NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry
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Ionic conductance

The capacity of an ion to conduct electricity is commonly defined as ionic conductance. The value of ionic conductance of a metal ion is affected by the extent of its hydration in aqueous solutions.

In the state of infinite dilution, the ionization of the electrolyte will be complete and all forces of interaction between the ions will have ceased to exist. Under such a condition, all the ions that can possibly be derived from the electrolyte under consideration are free to carry current. The motion of ionic charge causes electrical conductivity. It is called ionic conductivity or ionic conductance. Equivalent conductance, molar conductance and specific conductance are different types of conductance.

Conductivity or Specific conductance

Define specific conductance

The term specific conductance, nowadays referred to as property of any conductor which is the capacity to conduct electricity.It can be represented by the symbol ‘K’. Specific conductance gives the measure of capacity of a material to conduct electricity.

Specific conductance formula or conductivity can be given as:

In equation (2), ρ is the specific resistance.

We know that

Here in equation’R’ indicates the resistance of a conductor of length ‘l’ and ‘a’ is the area of cross section in cm².

Then,

Here in equation(4) ’G’ is the conductance. Obviously if, and , then equation becomes,

Thus the conductivity or specific conductance of an electrolyte solution represents the conductance with unit length and unit cross section. In other words, conductivity or specific conductance of an electrolyte solution represents the conductance of one centimeter cube of the solution kept between two ‘’ electrodes of unit area of cross section and placed unit distance apart.

The unit of specific conductance is microsiemens/cm

• The conductivity or specific conductance of an electrolyte depends on the following factors.
• Nature of electrolyte – Strong electrolytes have high conductance whereas the weak electrolytes have low conductance.
• Concentration of the solution – Molar conductance varies with concentration of the electrolyte.
• Temperature – The conductivity of an electrolyte increases with increase in temperature.

What does the term cell constant indicate?

The term cell constant is obtained by dividing the distance between the two electrodes in a conductivity cell by the cross-section of the electrode. It is commonly expressed in the unit and its SI unit is.

The expression for conductivity of an electrolyte solution is given as:

i.e., Conductivity Conductance Cell constant

The cell constant can also be denoted as. Then the expression for ‘K’ becomes:

Hence from equation It is clear that the cell constant is the ratio of specific conductance and conductance.

Equivalent conductivity or Equivalent conductance

Equivalent conductivity of an electrolyte solution of a given concentration is explained as the conducting power of ions formed from one equivalent of electrolyte present in solution. It is generally denoted as.

Specific conductance or conductivity (K) of a solution is related to equivalent conductivity by the equation:

Here in equation ’K’ is expressed in and the concentration ‘c’ in. Then the unit of is .

If ‘N’ is the normality of the solution and ‘K’ is expressed in then,

Also, students can refer,

• NCERT solutions for Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 3 Electrochemistry
• NCERT Exemplar Class 12 Chemistry Solutions Chapter 3 Electrochemistry
• NCERT notes Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 3 Electrochemistry

Molar conductivity or Molar conductance

Molar conductivity or molar conductance of an electrolyte solution of a given concentration can be defined as the ratio of conductivity and the molar concentration. It is denoted as.

Specific conductance or conductivity (K) of a solution is related to molar conductivity by the equation:

In equation, when ‘K’ is expressed in and the concentration ‘c’ in, then the SI unit of will be.

If ‘M’ is the molarity of the solution and ‘K’ is expressed in then,

• For an electrolyte solution, is related to as:

Relation between conductivity and molar conductivity

Λm=KC

C is the concentration

K is the conductivity

Λm is the molar conductivity

Also check-

• NCERT Exemplar Class 11th Chemistry Solutions
• NCERT Exemplar Class 12th Chemistry Solutions
• NCERT Exemplar Solutions for All Subjects

NCERT Chemistry Notes:

• NCERT Notes Class 11th Chemistry
• NCERT Notes Class 12th Chemistry
• NCERT Notes For All Subjects