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Kohlrausch Law - Definition, Examples, Application & Uses, FAQs

Kohlrausch Law - Definition, Examples, Application & Uses, FAQs

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 04:36 PM IST

Define Kohlrausch law.

In principle, an electrolyte's equivalent conductivity is equal to the sum of its anions and cations at infinite dilution, according to Kohlrausch law. When the concentration of a solution decreases, its molar conductivity increases. As the molecular conductivity of an electrolyte increases, the total volume containing a mole increase molar conductivity diminishes towards zero when the concentration of the electrolyte is zero; this condition is called limiting molar conductivity, Ëm°.

This Story also Contains
  1. Define Kohlrausch law.
  2. Kohlrausch law: uses
  3. History
  4. Application Kohlrausch law
  5. Solved Example

The limiting molar conductivities of several strong electrolytes were observed by Kohlrausch to show certain patterns. Using his observations as the basis, Kohlrausch proposed that "limiting molar conductivity can be modelled as a sum of the contributions of anions and cations in the electrolyte". Ions migrate independently according to the Kohlrausch law, popularly known. Identifying sodium

chloride's limiting molar conductivity, for instance, requires knowledge of sodium ions and chloride ions ' limiting molar conductivities. The Kohlrausch law of independent migration of ions has the following applications:

Our ability to determine the limiting molar conductivities of electrolytes is greatly aided by Kohlrausch law. At high concentrations, weak electrolytes exhibit lower molar conductivities and dissociation rates. Weak electrolytes exhibit a steep rise in molar conductivity with increasing concentration. As a result, limiting molar conductivity cannot be derived from extrapolating molar conductivity to zero concentration.

For weak electrolytes, we apply the Kohlrausch law of ion migration independently for determining limiting conductivity. Kohlrausch law formula provides a measure for weak electrolyte's molar conductivity, as well as to determine the dissociation constant and limit the conductivity.

α = Λ/ Ëm∘

Where, α = dissociation constant

Λ = molar conductivity

Ëm° = limiting molar conductivity

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Kohlrausch law: uses

  1. A method of calculating the dissociation degree

  2. Salts that are sparingly soluble are calculated by their solubility

  3. Electrolytes with a weak dissociation constant

  4. An infinite-dilution molar conductivity calculation for weak electrolytes

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History

The Kohlrausch law was introduced by Friedrich Kohlrausch in 1875-1879. He was an influential researcher of electrochemistry during his time as well as in the development of physical chemistry. It was chemists like Arrhenius, Ostwald, and Can’t Hoff who used the law of independent migration in order to formulate the Ironist theory, which is the basis of physical chemistry.

Application Kohlrausch law

  1. Electrolytes are dissociated by this constant to calculate their electrical conductivity.

  2. A weak electrolyte limiting molar conductivity can be determined via this equation.

  3. This law can also be used to determine the degrees of dissociation of weak electrolytes.

  4. This law is also used to calculate the solubility constants of various salts.

  5. Various electrochemical cells use it to calculate their potential as well.

NCERT Chemistry Notes:

Solved Example

Q1. Considering CH3COOH as an electrolyte with weak conductivity, calculate its limiting molar conductivity?

At infinite dilution, CH3COONa, HCl and NaCl have conductivities of 90.1S.cm2/mol, 426.16S.cm2/mol and 126.45S.cm2/mol respectively.

Solution.

Given,

λ∞CH3COONa= 90.1S.cm2/mol

λ∞ HCL=426.16S.cm2/mol

λ ∞NaCl=126.45S.cm2/mol

According to Kohlrausch law of independent migration of ions,

λ∞CH3COOH=λ∞CH3COONa+λ∞HCL–λ∞ NaCl

λ∞CH3COOH=91+426.16–126.45=>

λ∞CH3COOH=390.71S.cm2/mol

So, the limiting molar conductivity of Acetic acid (CH3COOH) is 390.71S.cm2/mol.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. 1. Who discovered the law of the independent migration of ions?

A study of the conductivities of different electrolytes by Friedrich Kohlrausch led to the discovery of this law.

2. 2. What are the applications of Kohlrausch law of independent ion migration?

Weak electrolytes are calculated by applying this law by calculating their specific conductivity, dissociation constant, and degree of dissociation. Salt solubility can also be measured using this instrument.

3. 3. Ions migrate independently according to law?

Electrolytes limiting molar conductivity is determined by the relationship between its constituent ions and this law. After dilution, an electrolyte limiting molar conductivity is defined as the sum of the limiting molar conductivities of the ions it splits into.

4. 4. How was Kohlrausch law discovered?

As a result of Kohlrausch's experiments with dilute solutions, he discovered this law. His law was based on the observation that the difference in the limiting molar conductivity of two different electrolytes having the same anode (or cathode) is independent of the nature/type of the common anode (or cathode).

5. 5.Kohlrausch law of independent migration of ions explains this?

The limiting molar conductivity of an electrolyte is determined by the factor of the individual contributions of anion and cation. There is an additive effect in these contributions according to the Kohlrausch law.

6. How does Kohlrausch's law relate to the concept of infinite dilution?
Kohlrausch's law applies specifically to solutions at infinite dilution, where the ions are so far apart that they don't interact with each other. At this extreme dilution, each ion's contribution to conductivity becomes independent of the other ions present.
7. What is molar conductivity, and how does it relate to Kohlrausch's law?
Molar conductivity is the conductivity of a solution per unit concentration of electrolyte. Kohlrausch's law helps predict the molar conductivity at infinite dilution by summing the individual ionic conductivities of the constituent ions.
8. Can Kohlrausch's law be applied to all types of electrolytes?
Kohlrausch's law is applicable to all strong electrolytes at infinite dilution. However, it may not accurately predict the behavior of weak electrolytes or concentrated solutions where ion-ion interactions become significant.
9. How does Kohlrausch's law help in determining the molar conductivity of electrolytes?
Kohlrausch's law allows us to calculate the molar conductivity of an electrolyte at infinite dilution by simply adding the ionic conductivities of its constituent ions. This is particularly useful when direct measurement is difficult or impossible.
10. What are the limitations of Kohlrausch's law?
Kohlrausch's law is limited to infinitely dilute solutions of strong electrolytes. It doesn't account for ion-ion interactions in concentrated solutions or the incomplete dissociation of weak electrolytes.
11. What is Kohlrausch's law?
Kohlrausch's law states that at infinite dilution, each ion contributes independently to the total molar conductivity of an electrolyte solution. This means that the conductivity of a solution can be calculated by adding up the individual contributions of all ions present, regardless of their source.
12. What is the mathematical expression of Kohlrausch's law?
Kohlrausch's law can be expressed mathematically as: Λ∞ = v+λ+ + v-λ-, where Λ∞ is the molar conductivity at infinite dilution, v+ and v- are the number of cations and anions produced by one formula unit of the electrolyte, and λ+ and λ- are the ionic conductivities of the cation and anion, respectively.
13. How does Kohlrausch's law help in understanding the concept of limiting molar conductivity?
Limiting molar conductivity is the molar conductivity at infinite dilution, which is exactly what Kohlrausch's law predicts. The law provides a method to calculate this limiting value by summing individual ionic conductivities.
14. How does the valency of ions affect their contribution to conductivity in Kohlrausch's law?
Ions with higher valency generally have larger ionic conductivities due to stronger interactions with the electric field. This is reflected in the ionic conductivity values used in Kohlrausch's law calculations.
15. What is the relationship between Kohlrausch's law and Ostwald's dilution law?
While Kohlrausch's law applies to strong electrolytes at infinite dilution, Ostwald's dilution law deals with weak electrolytes. Both laws help in understanding electrolyte behavior but apply to different concentration regimes.
16. What is the historical significance of Kohlrausch's law in the development of electrochemistry?
Kohlrausch's law, formulated in the late 19th century, was a significant breakthrough in understanding electrolyte behavior. It provided a quantitative basis for studying ionic conductivity and laid the groundwork for more advanced theories in electrochemistry.
17. What is the relationship between Kohlrausch's law and the Debye-Hückel theory?
While Kohlrausch's law applies to infinite dilution, the Debye-Hückel theory extends our understanding to more concentrated solutions by accounting for ion-ion interactions. The two theories are complementary in describing electrolyte behavior across different concentration ranges.
18. How does Kohlrausch's law relate to the concept of molar conductivity at infinite dilution (Λ∞)?
Kohlrausch's law directly calculates Λ∞ by summing the contributions of individual ions. This value represents the maximum possible molar conductivity for a given electrolyte.
19. What is the significance of the square root of concentration term in conductivity measurements, and how does it relate to Kohlrausch's law?
The square root of concentration term appears in empirical relationships describing how conductivity varies with concentration. While Kohlrausch's law applies at infinite dilution, this term helps describe behavior at finite concentrations.
20. What is the significance of Kohlrausch's law in analytical chemistry, particularly in conductometric titrations?
Kohlrausch's law provides a theoretical basis for understanding conductivity changes during titrations. It helps in predicting conductivity at the endpoint and in interpreting titration curves, especially for strong electrolytes.
21. What is the concept of ionic mobility, and how does it relate to Kohlrausch's law?
Ionic mobility is the velocity of an ion under the influence of an electric field. It's directly related to ionic conductivity, which is a key component in Kohlrausch's law. Higher ionic mobility results in higher ionic conductivity.
22. What is the significance of Kohlrausch's law in electrochemistry?
Kohlrausch's law is crucial in electrochemistry as it allows for the prediction of molar conductivities of electrolytes, helps in understanding ion behavior in solution, and provides a basis for studying more complex electrolyte systems.
23. What is the difference between molar conductivity and specific conductivity?
Molar conductivity is the conductivity per unit concentration of electrolyte, while specific conductivity is the conductivity of a solution without considering its concentration. Kohlrausch's law deals with molar conductivity at infinite dilution.
24. What is the relationship between Kohlrausch's law and Faraday's laws of electrolysis?
While Kohlrausch's law deals with ionic conductivity, Faraday's laws relate to the amount of substance produced during electrolysis. Both are fundamental to understanding the behavior of ions in solution and their movement under an electric field.
25. How does Kohlrausch's law relate to the concept of transference number?
Transference numbers represent the fraction of total current carried by each ion type. While Kohlrausch's law deals with the total conductivity, transference numbers can be derived from the individual ionic conductivities used in the law.
26. How does the concept of ionic strength relate to Kohlrausch's law?
Ionic strength becomes important in concentrated solutions where Kohlrausch's law starts to break down. As ionic strength increases, ion-ion interactions become significant, deviating from the independent behavior assumed by Kohlrausch's law.
27. What is the effect of pressure on the applicability of Kohlrausch's law?
Pressure generally has a minimal effect on the applicability of Kohlrausch's law for liquids. However, for gases or supercritical fluids, increased pressure can affect ion mobility and thus impact the law's applicability.
28. What is the role of the solvent in Kohlrausch's law?
While not explicitly mentioned in the law, the solvent plays a crucial role in determining ionic conductivities. Different solvents can lead to different degrees of ion solvation and mobility, affecting the values used in Kohlrausch's law.
29. How does Kohlrausch's law contribute to our understanding of electrolyte solutions' colligative properties?
While Kohlrausch's law doesn't directly address colligative properties, it provides insights into ion behavior that are relevant to understanding these properties, particularly in terms of the number of particles in solution.
30. How does the concept of activity coefficient relate to Kohlrausch's law?
Activity coefficients become important in non-ideal, concentrated solutions where Kohlrausch's law starts to break down. They account for ion-ion interactions that are not considered in the ideal behavior assumed by the law.
31. How does temperature affect the applicability of Kohlrausch's law?
Temperature affects ionic mobilities and, consequently, ionic conductivities. While Kohlrausch's law remains valid at different temperatures, the values of ionic conductivities used in calculations must be adjusted for the specific temperature in question.
32. How can Kohlrausch's law be used to determine the degree of dissociation of a weak electrolyte?
By comparing the measured molar conductivity of a weak electrolyte with the value predicted by Kohlrausch's law (assuming complete dissociation), we can estimate the degree of dissociation. The ratio of measured to predicted conductivity gives the fraction of electrolyte that has dissociated.
33. How does Kohlrausch's law help in determining the solubility of sparingly soluble salts?
Kohlrausch's law can be used to calculate the molar conductivity of a saturated solution of a sparingly soluble salt. By comparing this to the measured conductivity, we can determine the salt's solubility.
34. How does the size of ions affect their contribution to conductivity in Kohlrausch's law?
Generally, smaller ions have higher mobility and thus contribute more to conductivity. This is reflected in their higher ionic conductivity values used in Kohlrausch's law calculations.
35. Can Kohlrausch's law be used to predict the conductivity of mixed electrolyte solutions?
Yes, Kohlrausch's law can be applied to mixed electrolyte solutions at infinite dilution. The total molar conductivity would be the sum of the contributions from all ions present, regardless of their source.
36. Can Kohlrausch's law be applied to non-aqueous solutions?
Yes, Kohlrausch's law can be applied to non-aqueous solutions, provided they are at infinite dilution and contain strong electrolytes. However, the ionic conductivity values would be different from those in aqueous solutions.
37. How can Kohlrausch's law be used to determine the conductivity of pure water?
Kohlrausch's law can be used to calculate the theoretical conductivity of pure water by summing the contributions of H+ and OH- ions. However, the extremely low concentration of these ions in pure water makes practical measurement challenging.
38. Can Kohlrausch's law be used to predict the conductivity of solutions containing complex ions?
Yes, Kohlrausch's law can be applied to solutions containing complex ions, provided their ionic conductivities are known. The complex ion would be treated as a single entity with its own characteristic ionic conductivity.
39. How does the concept of ion pairing affect the applicability of Kohlrausch's law?
Ion pairing, which occurs in more concentrated solutions, reduces the number of free ions and thus decreases conductivity. This phenomenon is not accounted for in Kohlrausch's law, which assumes complete dissociation at infinite dilution.
40. How can Kohlrausch's law be used to determine the equivalent conductance of an electrolyte?
Equivalent conductance is related to molar conductivity by a factor involving the number of equivalents per mole of electrolyte. Once the molar conductivity is calculated using Kohlrausch's law, it can be converted to equivalent conductance.
41. Can Kohlrausch's law be applied to electrolytes in gel or solid electrolyte systems?
Kohlrausch's law is primarily applicable to liquid solutions. In gel or solid electrolyte systems, ion mobility and interactions are significantly different, limiting the direct application of the law.
42. How can Kohlrausch's law be used in the analysis of battery electrolytes?
Kohlrausch's law can provide a baseline for understanding the conductivity of battery electrolytes at very low concentrations. However, most practical battery electrolytes are too concentrated for direct application of the law.
43. Can Kohlrausch's law be applied to zwitterionic species in solution?
Zwitterions, having both positive and negative charges, present a complex case. While Kohlrausch's law could theoretically be applied to their fully dissociated forms at infinite dilution, practical application is challenging due to their unique behavior in solution.
44. How does the hydration of ions affect their contribution to conductivity in Kohlrausch's law?
Ion hydration affects ionic mobility and thus conductivity. While Kohlrausch's law uses empirical ionic conductivity values that implicitly include hydration effects, it doesn't explicitly account for variations in hydration.
45. What is the relationship between Kohlrausch's law and the concept of ionic strength?
Kohlrausch's law applies at infinite dilution where ionic strength approaches zero. As ionic strength increases in more concentrated solutions, deviations from Kohlrausch's law become more pronounced due to increased ion-ion interactions.
46. How can Kohlrausch's law be used to estimate the dissociation constant of a weak electrolyte?
By comparing the measured molar conductivity of a weak electrolyte with the value predicted by Kohlrausch's law for complete dissociation, one can estimate the degree of dissociation. This, in turn, can be used to calculate the dissociation constant.
47. What is the significance of Kohlrausch's law in understanding the conductivity of seawater?
While seawater is too concentrated for direct application of Kohlrausch's law, the law provides a foundation for understanding how different ions contribute to seawater's overall conductivity, which is crucial in oceanography and marine science.
48. How does Kohlrausch's law relate to the concept of conductivity cells and their calibration?
Kohlrausch's law provides a theoretical basis for the behavior of electrolytes in conductivity cells. It's particularly useful in understanding the response of cells at very low concentrations and in interpreting calibration data.
49. Can Kohlrausch's law be applied to ionic liquids?
Ionic liquids present a unique case as they are essentially pure electrolytes. While Kohlrausch's law in its standard form doesn't directly apply, the underlying principles of ionic conductivity are still relevant in understanding their behavior.
50. How does Kohlrausch's law contribute to our understanding of ion transport in biological systems?
While biological systems are far more complex than the ideal solutions described by Kohlrausch's law, the law provides a foundational understanding of how individual ions contribute to overall conductivity, which is relevant in studying ion channels and cellular electrical properties.
51. What is the relationship between Kohlrausch's law and the concept of conductivity titrations?
Kohlrausch's law underpins the theory behind conductivity titrations. It helps explain why conductivity changes occur during titrations and provides a basis for interpreting titration curves, especially for reactions involving strong electrolytes.
52. How can Kohlrausch's law be used to predict the conductivity of mixed electrolyte solutions at infinite dilution?
For mixed electrolyte solutions at infinite dilution, Kohlrausch's law can be applied by summing the contributions of all ions present, regardless of their source. This allows for the prediction of conductivity in complex mixtures.
53. What is the significance of Kohlrausch's law in understanding superconductivity?
While Kohlrausch's law doesn't directly apply to superconductivity, which involves a fundamentally different mechanism of charge transport, it provides a contrast that helps highlight the unique properties of superconductors compared to normal electrolyte solutions.
54. How does Kohlrausch's law relate to the concept of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy?
Kohlrausch's law provides a baseline understanding of solution conductivity, which is one component of the complex impedance measured in electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It's particularly relevant in interpreting high-frequency impedance data where solution resistance dominates.
55. Can Kohlrausch's law be extended to predict the conductivity of non-electrolyte solutions?
Kohlrausch's law is specifically for electrolyte solutions and doesn't apply to non-electrolytes. However, the underlying principle of additive contributions to a solution property is a general concept that extends to other areas of solution chemistry.

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