DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH
Name of the staff : D. Simhachalam
Designation : Lecturer
Branch : A.E.I.E
Institute : K.D.R.G.P.T,Wnp,Mbnr Dist.
Semester : III
Subject : Process Instrumentation-I
Subject code : AEI-305
Topic : Conductivity Measurement
Duration : 50 mts

Sub Topic : Conductivity

Teaching Aids : PPT’s ,Animations, Diagrams
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 Objectives

Upon the completion of this topic, you would be

able to know about

• Definition of conductivity.

• Necessity of Conductivity measurement.

• Necessity of Conductivity Cell.

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 Definition

• The reciprocal of resistivity is called as “Conductivity”

• It is defined by its specific current carrying ability

• It is denoted by 

• Unity of conductivity is S/m ,Mho/cm or Siemens/cm

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 Conductivity
• For solutions, the conductivity of an electrolyte is a
measure of the ability of solution to carry electric current.
• Electrical conductivity is entirely due to the movement of
ions as shown in fig.1 below.
• Thus in a cell, the potential across the cell is the
movement of positive ions or negative ions in the cell.

Fig. 1 Cell
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 Typical Conductivity Values
10% NaOH 355,000

Sea Water 50,000

Mains Water Supply 50

Boiler Feed Water 1

Distilled Water 0.5

Ultra Pure Water 0.055

0 1 100 10,000 1,000,000

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 Necessity of Conductivity Measurement

• It is necessary in physical & chemical analysis,

• In chemical kinetics & plant laboratories,

• To determine:

The electrical properties of solutions,

Solubility products,

Dissociation constant of electrolyte.

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 Necessity of Conductivity cell

• The solution whose conductivity is to be measured is

taken in a cell is called “Conductivity Cell”

• Conductivity cell measures a solution’s ability to conduct

electricity

• Which is a function of all dissolved ionized solids in the

solution.

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 Equation

• Conductivity is given by the relation

a
 = aσ =
R
Where
a = Cell constant

1
 = specific resistance =
R
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 Summary

In this class we have discussed about :

• Definition of the Conductivity & Conductivity cell

• Necessity of Conductivity measurement

• Necessity of the Conductivity cell

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 Quiz

1) The reciprocal of resistivity is

a) Selectivity

b) Conductivity

c) Electricity

d) None

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 Quiz

• 2) The measurement of conductivity is necessary

a) In physical & chemical analysis

b) To determine electrical properties of solutions

c) Both a & b

d) None of the above.

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 Quiz

• 3) The solution whose conductivity is to be measured is

taken in a cell called

a) Conductivity bridge
b) Conductivity cell
c) Both of the above
d) None of the above

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 Quiz

• 4) Electrical conductivity is entirely due to the movement

of

a) Organs

b) Protons

c) Electrons

d) Ions

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 Frequently asked questions

1) Define Conductivity

3) State necessity of conductivity cell

5) State necessity of measurement of conductivity

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