1. What do you observe about the conductivity meter as sugar is added?
The conductivity meter reading would decrease as sugar is added.
As sugar is added to a conductivity meter, the following observations can be made:
1. Initially, when the conductivity meter is immersed in water or a solution without sugar, the meter reading will be low or close to zero. This is because pure water has low conductivity.
2. As sugar is added to the water or solution, the meter reading will start to increase gradually. This is because sugar, being a non-electrolyte, does not ionize or dissociate into ions in water to conduct electricity.
3. The increase in meter reading will be relatively slow compared to adding electrolytes (such as salts) to the solution. This is because sugar molecules do not carry electrical charges.
4. However, the conductivity meter reading will continue to increase slightly as more and more sugar is added. This is due to the presence of impurities and trace electrolyte substances, which may be present in sugar or other components of the solution.
5. It is important to note that the increase in conductivity due to adding sugar will still be significantly lower compared to adding electrolytes, which can fully dissociate into ions and conduct electricity effectively.
To observe the conductivity meter as sugar is added, follow these steps:
1. Set up the conductivity meter: Ensure that the conductivity meter is properly calibrated and ready for use. Connect the necessary electrodes and turn on the device.
2. Baseline measurement: Before adding sugar, take a baseline measurement by immersing the electrodes in a reference solution, such as distilled water. Note the conductivity reading on the meter for reference.
3. Add sugar: Gradually add sugar to the solution while stirring gently to mix it well. Continue adding sugar until you reach the desired concentration or until you observe any noticeable changes in the conductivity meter reading.
4. Monitor the changes: Observe the conductivity meter reading as sugar is added. In most cases, the conductivity meter reading will decrease as sugar is added. This is because sugar is a non-conductive substance, and adding it to the solution reduces the overall conductivity.
5. Interpret the observations: If the conductivity meter reading significantly drops as sugar is added, it indicates that sugar has a diluting effect on the conductivity of the solution. This is because sugar molecules interfere with the movement of charged particles (ions) in the solution, thereby reducing its conductivity.
It's important to note that the extent of the conductivity decrease will depend on factors like sugar concentration, temperature, and the presence of other dissolved substances in the solution.