Electrical Conductivity of Water

Water's electrical conductivity is influenced by its self-ionization into hydroxide and hydronium ions, with pure water exhibiting high resistivity, ideal for sensitive applications. Its polarity and hydrogen bonding contribute to its high melting and boiling points, solvent capabilities, and thermal capacity. Water's cohesive and adhesive properties enable capillary action, vital in biological systems. As a universal solvent, water dissolves polar and ionic substances, playing a key role in various natural processes.

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Electrical Conductivity of Water

Water is often perceived as an electrical insulator, yet it inherently possesses a degree of conductivity. This is due to the self-ionization process where water molecules dissociate into hydroxide ions (OH−) and hydronium ions (H3O+), albeit in very low concentrations. Pure water has a conductivity similar to that of intrinsic semiconductors like germanium, but much lower than that of metals. The conductivity of water is significantly increased by the presence of impurities, which provide additional ions that facilitate the movement of electrical charge.
Transparent glass beaker with colorless liquid and immersed metal electrodes producing bubbles, on a white surface with a gray background.

Resistivity and Purity of Water

The maximum theoretical resistivity of water is about 18.2 MΩ·cm at 25 °C, which is observed in ultra-pure water. This high resistivity makes it an excellent insulator for sensitive applications, such as in the semiconductor industry. However, even trace amounts of impurities can drastically reduce this resistivity. The conductivity of pure water is very low, with a measured value of approximately 0.05501 μS/cm at 25 °C. Electrolysis of water into oxygen and hydrogen gases is inefficient without dissolved ions due to water's low ionic conductivity. In its solid state, ice exhibits negligible conductivity, with protons serving as the primary charge carriers.

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1

Pure water's conductivity is comparable to ______ semiconductors, but far less than ______.

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intrinsic metals

2

The presence of ______ in water greatly enhances its ______.

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impurities conductivity

3

Water molecules can split into ______ and ______ ions, though in minimal amounts.

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hydroxide (OH−) hydronium (H3O+)

4

Max resistivity of ultra-pure water temperature

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18.2 MΩ·cm at 25 °C

5

Conductivity of pure water at 25 °C

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Approximately 0.05501 μS/cm

6

Primary charge carriers in ice

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Protons

7

The ______ of water molecules leads to a strong dipole moment due to their bent shape and charge distribution.

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polarity

8

Water's ______ and ______ points are unusually high because of the hydrogen bonds between molecules.

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melting boiling

9

Unlike water, ______ sulfide is a gas at room temperature even though it has a higher molecular mass.

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hydrogen

10

The ______ atom in water molecules has a partial negative charge, while the ______ atoms have partial positive charges.

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oxygen hydrogen

11

Water's ability to dissolve substances and its high ______ capacity are due to the ______ bonds between its molecules.

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thermal hydrogen

12

Hydrogen bonding in water

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Primary force behind water's cohesive properties, allowing molecules to stick together.

13

Water's high surface tension

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Result of cohesive forces, enabling phenomena like insects walking on water's surface.

14

Capillary action in plants

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Movement of water against gravity, driven by water's cohesion and adhesion properties.

15

Substances that mix well with water are termed ______, whereas those that do not are called ______.

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hydrophilic hydrophobic

16

The ______ of a substance in water depends on its ability to form favorable interactions with water molecules.

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solubility

17

In water, ______ substances like sodium chloride break into ions, while ______ substances such as sucrose form hydrogen bonds.

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ionic polar

18

Water hexamer structure significance

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Quantum tunneling crucial for bond dynamics in water hexamer, influencing its structure.

19

Water absorption spectrum characteristics

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Transparent to visible, near UV, far-red light; strong absorption in UV, infrared, microwave regions.

20

Water's slight blue color explanation

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Minor absorption in red part of visible spectrum gives water its blue tint.

21

In its liquid state, water molecules can establish up to ______ hydrogen bonds, creating a dynamic network.

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four

22

The unique network of water leads to a decrease in its density when the temperature drops below ______.

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4 °C

23

Research into water's molecular structure has been advanced by techniques such as ______.

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X-ray absorption spectroscopy

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