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What is Conductance in Electrolytic Solutions?

This article details the concept of conductance in an electrolytic solution. It defines electrolytic solutions, conductance, and factors affecting conductivity. When electrons flow freely through a medium, it is called conductivity. Electrons can flow through several mediums, but we will focus solely on conductance in electrolytic solutions in this article. So first, let us understand what electrolytic solutions are.

Electrolytic solutions 

The solutions in which ions can dissociate to conduct electricity are termed electrolytic solutions. Electrolytic solutions are of two types, which are. 

  • Strong Electrolytic solutions: Some substances fall into the category of the strong electrolytic solution because they dissociate into ions completely and are good conductors of electricity. But, the point to be noted is that electrolytic solutions are only made with an aqueous and molten state. This is the reason strong electrolytes are the best to conduct electricity. 
  • Weak Electrolytic solutions: The solutions in which ions do not dissociate completely are termed weak electrolytic solutions. Some ions cannot dissociate completely in the solutions, so they can’t conduct electricity.

What is Conductance?

The property through which the electrons can flow is termed as conductance. The more easily the electrons flow, the greater the generation of electricity will be. Various factors affect the conductivity of an ionic solution. The symbol of conductance is G and is the reciprocal of resistance, R. 

G=1/R

Where, 

G is the conductance

R is the resistance

The SI unit of conductance is Siemens(S). The unit of conductance is the reciprocal of the unit of resistance, i.e. ohm inverse or mho.  

Factors Affecting Electrolytic Solution

  • Interionic attraction: The attraction between two different ions is known as an interionic attraction. 
  • Solvation of ions: The association and interaction between the solute and the solvent are termed the solvation of ions. 
  • The viscosity of the solvent: The viscosity of a solvent is termed as the state of being thick. 
  • Temperature: The temperature also affects the electrolytic solution. As you increase the temperature, more ions will be dissociated; hence, more electricity will be generated.

Difference between Conductivity and Conductance

Conductivity and conductance- These two terms often create confusion. But there are a lot of factors that will help you to distinguish between conductivity and conductance. 

  • The practice of conducting heat or electricity is termed as conductivity. In contrast, conductance is the property of conducting heat and electricity. The symbol of conductance is G and is the reciprocal of resistance, R. 

G=1/R

Where, 

G is the conductance 

R is the resistance 

  • The extrinsic property is conductance, and the intrinsic property is conductivity. Extrinsic property means property that is affected by the amount of material, while intrinsic property means the property which is affected by the quality or kind of the material. Some examples of intrinsic properties are density, specific heat, ductility, melting point, and boiling point. Some of the examples of extrinsic properties are area, length, width, height, and much more.  
  • The unit of conductance is mhos or Siemens units, while the unit of conductivity is siemens per metre. Observe that the unit of conductivity and conductance is also the inverse of the unit of resistivity and resistance, respectively. 
  • The inverse of resistivity is conductivity, while the inverse of resistance is conductance.

Conclusion

With the completion of this article, you must have learned the concept behind the electrolytic solution, conductance, and the factors which affect the electrolytic solution. You would also have learned about weak and strong electrolytes and the difference between conductivity and conductance.Electrolytic conduction refers to conduction with the help of two electrolytes. Electrolytes are nothing but a solution of a substance that has free ions in the valence band of the atom. These ions are unpaired and free to move. When unpaired ions move towards oppositely charged substances, there is a flow of current, which is termed, conduction.

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