Conductivity Experiment
Description:
See how the electrical conductivity of water changes depending on what is dissolved in it. What
materials are conductors and which are insulators?
Equipment Needed:
LED lights
Alligator clips
9 Volt Battery
Paper clips
Beakers
Distilled/Deionized water - “Distilled” means it is high-purity water with nothing dissolved in it
Tap water
Sugar
Vinegar
Coca cola
Table salt
Measuring spoons
Stirring Sticks
There are six stations with a different solution at each table. At the first station, each
group must create the circuit with the alligator clips, LED light, and the battery. Next each
group will mix or pour 30 mL of the solution into the beaker. Attach the paper clips and
rate the conductivity. Like the previous experiment, the materials that conducted electricity
made the light bulb light up. For this exploration, rate the conductivity by recording if the LED
light is bright, moderately bright, dim or not lit at all.
As you work through these stations, think about why the solutions conduct electricity differently.
Predict what you think will happen (whether the LED will light up or not, and to what degree)
and why. Record your observations. You will have ten minutes at the first station and then
approximately five minutes for the rest.
Conductivity Experiment
Station 1 - Deionized water
1.
2.
3.
4.
Predict what you think will happen to the light bulb.
Pour 30 mL of distilled water into a beaker.
Attach the paper clips to the side of the beaker.
What happens to the light bulb? Record your results.
Station 2 - Tap water
1.
2.
3.
4.
Predict what you think will happen to the lightbulb.
Pour 30 mL of tap water into a beaker.
Attach the paper clips to the side of the beaker.
What happens to the light bulb? Record your results.
Station 3 - NaCl solution
1.
2.
3.
4.
Predict what you think will happen to the light bulb.
Mix together one teaspoon of salt with 30 mL of deionized water in a beaker.
Attach the paper clips to the side of the beaker.
What happens to the light bulb? Record your results.
Station 4 - Vinegar
1.
2.
3.
4.
Predict what you think will happen to the light bulb.
Pour 30 mL of vinegar into a beaker.
Attach the paper clips to the side of the beaker.
What happens to the light bulb? Record your results.
Station 5 - Sugar solution
1.
2.
3.
4.
Predict what you think will happen to the light bulb.
Mix together one teaspoon of gugar with 30 mL of deionized water in a beaker.
Attach the paper clips to the side of the beaker.
What happens to the light bulb? Record your results.
Station 6 - Coca Cola.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Predict what you think will happen to the light bulb.
Pour 30 mL of coca cola into a beaker.
Attach the paper clips to the side of the beaker.
What happens to the light bulb? Record your results.
Look at the list of ingredients on the label. Which ones do you think contribute to the
conductivity?