Investigation on the conductive properties of copper sulphate solution.

Jonathan Man

Aim

I hope to measure the conductivity of copper sulphate solution. I will use a method similar to electrolysis to achieve this. The only difference will be that I am using an alternating current rather than a direct current so that copper from the copper sulphate solution will not be electrolysed.

I chose this topic because I wanted to find out if the conductivity of copper sulphate solution changes with different cross-sectional areas.

Equipment:

Plastic container measuring L=0.13m, W=0.05m, H=0.06m

Copper electrodes X2

Wires

Crocodile clips

AC power supply

Ammeter

Voltmeter

Copper Sulphate solution (1 molar and 0.5 molar concentrations)

Method:

Firstly set up the equipment as shown in the following diagrams.

Ensure that the circuit is correctly connected, then fill container to height of 1cm with copper sulphate solution.
Turn on the power supply and increase from 0v to 2v. Note down the reading from the ammeter.
Increase current by 2v and again note down the reading on the ammeter.
Keep increasing the voltage by 2v until you reach 24v, each time noting the ammeter readings.
Once you’ have noted down the current reading at ...