Model for Teaching about Electrical Neutrality in Electrolyte Solutions

Tetsuo Morikawa
Department of Chemistry, Joetsu University of Education, Joetsu 943-8512, Japan
Bryce E. Williamson
Department of Chemistry, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
J. Chem. Educ., 2001, 78 (7), p 934
DOI: 10.1021/ed078p934
Publication Date (Web): July 1, 2001
History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

A simple model, based on an 1853 experiment by J. W. Hittorf, is suggested as a tool for demonstrating the electrical neutrality condition in electrolyte solutions. An electrochemical cell is conceptually divided into compartments, between which ions migrate in accordance with their transport numbers. It is demonstrated that these changes occur with overall retention of macroscopic neutrality throughout the electrolyte solutions. The model should also help students to avoid misconceptions relating to other aspects of electrochemical cells, such as ionic conductance and reversibility.

Keywords (Audience):

Upper-Division Undergraduate

Keywords (Domain):

Physical Chemistry

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Misconceptions / Discrepant Events

Keywords (Subject):

Electrochemistry
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  • Received: August 03, 2009

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