Salt concentration and its electrical resistance

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the theoretical relationship between salt concentration in distilled water and its electrical resistance. Participants explore whether a saltwater solution behaves as an ohmic conductor and seek to understand how resistance can be quantified in this context.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the theoretical relationship or formula connecting salt concentration and electrical resistance.
  • Others question whether a saltwater solution can be considered an ohmic conductor and if its resistance can be represented by a single value.
  • One participant mentions that the resistance of a salt solution depends on the concentration of salt and describes their investigation where salt concentration is the independent variable affecting resistance.
  • A later reply suggests that a salt solution has characteristic conductivity or resistivity, and notes that the resistance of a cell is influenced by its geometry.
  • Participants reference Ohm's Law (R= V/I) for practical calculations but seek a theoretical understanding as well.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty regarding the nature of saltwater solutions as ohmic conductors and whether resistance can be quantified simply. Multiple competing views on the relationship between salt concentration and resistance remain present.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on specific definitions of conductivity and resistivity, as well as the influence of the geometry of the solution container on resistance measurements.

Jane Bondarenko
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What would be the theoretical relationship between/ a formula for the salt concentration in distilled water and its electrical resistance?
 
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Jane Bondarenko said:
What would be the theoretical relationship between/ a formula for the salt concentration in distilled water and its electrical resistance?
Is a salt water solution an ohmic conductor? i.e. does it even have an electrical resistance that can be quantified with a single number?
 
jbriggs444 said:
Is a salt water solution an ohmic conductor? i.e. does it even have an electrical resistance that can be quantified with a single number?
Depends on the concentration of salt in water. I am doing an investigation where salt would be the independent variable and its resistance would be dependent. For practical formula for resistance I'm using Ohm's Law (R= V/I), but I need a theoretical value as well.
 
A solution of salt would have a characteristic conductivity (or resistivity). The resistance of an actual cell would depend on its geometry. If you google "salt solution conductivity" I'm sure you'll find lots of information.
 

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