Electrical Conductivity of Water
Pure water is actually a poor conductor of electricity because it is a non-metallic compound. However, water can conduct electricity when it contains dissolved ions, such as salts or acids. Water is a polar solvent and it dissociates these molecules into positively and negatively charged ions. These ions allow the flow of electric current through water.
The conductivity of water can vary widely depending on factors such as temperature, dissolved substances, and purity. Seawater has higher conductivity due to the presence of dissolved salts.
Here are some values for the electrical conductivity of water(S/m):
Seawater ⇒ 4.5 to 5.5 S/m
Water Drinking ⇒ 0.0005 to 0.05 S/m
Deionized Water ⇒ 5.5 × 10-6 S/m
The electrical conductivity of water is often used as an indicator of its purity or level of contamination. Distilled water with low conductivity is typically considered suitable for many industrial and laboratory applications. Water with higher conductivity may indicate the presence of dissolved ions or contaminants.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical conductivity is a fundamental property that measures a material’s ability to conduct electric current. It varies among materials and is influenced by factors such as temperature, material composition, impurities, and pressure. Electrical conductivity is typically measured in siemens per meter (S/m).
Electrical conductivity finds applications in electronics, power transmission, material science, environmental science, geology, biomedical fields, and more. In this article, we learn about electrical conductivity in detail.
Table of Content
- What is Electrical Conductivity?
- Electrical Conductivity Examples
- Electrical Conductivity of Metals
- Factors Influencing Electrical Conductivity
- How is Electrical Conductivity Measured?
- Applications of Electrical Conductivity