Electrical Resistance in Distilled Water: Experiment Ideas

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around experimental ideas for measuring electrical resistance in distilled water. Participants explore methods, materials, and the challenges associated with conducting the experiment using basic high school equipment.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes using the four-point method of resistance measurement but seeks advice on materials and setup.
  • Another participant notes that the four-wire method is typically used for measuring small resistances compared to lead resistance and suggests considering a Wheatstone Bridge for measuring small changes in large resistance.
  • A suggestion is made to use a megger for the experiment, questioning the necessity of high accuracy.
  • One participant emphasizes the need for high accuracy when measuring distilled water, stating that it behaves more like an insulator than a conductor.
  • A participant expresses interest in achieving high accuracy results and mentions the limitation of not being able to access pure water, opting for distilled water instead.
  • Another participant seeks further guidance on setting up the Wheatstone Bridge for measuring the electrical resistance of distilled water.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the best methods and equipment for measuring resistance in distilled water, indicating that multiple competing approaches are being considered without a consensus on the optimal method.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the specific setup for the Wheatstone Bridge and the implications of using distilled versus pure water in the experiment.

alvintm
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
I recently got this as an idea for an interesting independent project. I had planned to do the experiment using the four point method of resistance measurement, but I'm stuck on figuring out just what materials I might need to use. I intend to use the basic high school equipment, nothing too fancy, but still be able to be accurate. I also thought of using dc and ac current in the experiment.
Does anyone have ideas of how I might be able to do this, and what materials I might need to use.
 
Physics news on Phys.org


<Moderator Note: Moved from Independent Research forum.>
 


Isn't 4 wire normally used when the resistance to be measured is very small compared to the lead resistance?
You might want to look at a Wheastone Bridge for measuring small changes in a large resistance.

ps. If you are planning to use AC, please don't use 115/220V AC line power for an experiement with water spilled everywhere!
 


Maybe I'm just being stupid here by why not just use a megger to do this? Unless that is you want crazy super accurate results.
 


You're going to need "crazy super accurate results" if you are dealing with pure water. It is not a conductor -- it is an insulator.
 


I might make this research for future refrence, so yes, I would love to have "crazy super accurate results."

I still want to use distilled water though. But it's just because I do not think I am able to access pure water right now.

mgb_phys: You are most certainly right about the 4-wire method. And I am indeed open to a variety of ideas to make my research a success, so how exactly might I set up the required equipment to measure distilled water electrical resistance using the wheastone bridge? Coz this is getting quite interesting, in terms of simple apparatus.

I appreciate the ideas guys :)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Replies
18
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
619
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
5K