Lab Session 05/02/13: Polimeter experiment

Objective: To obtain data from the polimeter (measurement of the conductivity) from two different elements in their own compounds. In this case we are using Tin (Sn) and Lead (Pb).

The list of substances we chose from:
- Fe²⁺/Fe
- Sn²⁺/Sn
- Cu²⁺/Cu
- Zn²⁺/Zn
- Pb²⁺/Pb
- Mg²⁺/Mg
- Ni²⁺/Ni

Materials we used for the experiment
 - Tin (Sn)                        - Tin (II) chloride à SnCl­­₂ solution
 - Lead (Pb)                    - Lead (II) nitrate à Pb(NO₃)₂ solution
 - Polimeter                     - U-tube
 - Cotton                         - Water
 - Salt (NaCl)

Explanation
1)      We chose two different substances to perform the experiment. In our case, we chose Tin and Lead.
2)      We took the compounds of our substances which were SnCl₂ and Pb(NO₃)₂ and placed them in beakers.
3)      We then attached one end of the polimeters cable to one of the elements placed in their own aqueous compound solution and did it to the other.
4)      We put a bit of Sulfuric acid in the U shaped tube and then filled it up with water and placed cotton on the ends so it would not leak.
5)      We placed the U shaped tube in the beakers with the elements and their solutions and measures the conductivity at 2000m. It gave us a measurement of -51 to -49.

Results

Sn + SnCl₂

Pb + Pb(NO₃)₂

Shows a result of -51 to -49 at 2000m on the polimeter

Conclusion

We can conclude that the final result of the polimeter and what the conductivity of Tin in Tin solution and Lead in Lead solution is at -51 s/m (siemens/meter) to -49 s/m at 2000 m (meters). A conductivity meter or polimeter measures the ionic conductivity (or conversely, the resistance) of a liquid.  The number it gives cannot directly be related to hardness, but rather, the total ion content of the liquid.