Chemistry 2001 JAMB Past Questions - Question 32: As the concentration of an electrolyte reduces, the conductivity

Correct Answer

B

Explanation

The conductivity of an electrolyte solution is directly proportional to the concentration of ions in the solution. As the concentration of the electrolyte decreases, the number of ions available to carry an electric current also decreases, leading to a reduction in conductivity.

Conductivity (\( \sigma \)) is commonly related to concentration (\( C \)) using the equation:

\[ \sigma = \mu \cdot C \]

where:
- \( \sigma \) is the conductivity,
- \( \mu \) is the mobility of ions (a constant for a given ion in a given solution), and
- \( C \) is the concentration of ions.

So, if the concentration (\( C \)) decreases, the conductivity (\( \sigma \)) will also decrease, assuming the mobility of ions remains relatively constant. This relationship is a fundamental aspect of ion transport in electrolyte solutions, as conductivity is a measure of a solution's ability to conduct an electric current.