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Short Answer:
Conductivity in salt water and tap water is the result of movement of charges (positive and negative) which are ions in the liquid. This is different than electrons moving in wires. Salt water has more ions than tap water, so more charge carriers and more conductivity.
Longer Answer:
The electrical conductivity of water, whether in its pure form or with dissolved ions like salt, is explained as the movement of charged ions and not in terms of transport of nearly-free
electrons as would be the case for a metal wire. With the application of a voltage, the electric field created in the liquid exerts a force on the ions, opposite directions for positives and negatives, and since this is a liquid, the ions move with relative ease. (Far less ease than electrons in a metal but far more than atoms in a solid.) Movement of these charges is the electrical current one measures. A lot of charges will result in a lot of current or a higher conductivity.
In pure water, the ions that are moving are the solvated protons in the form of H3O+ and hydroxide ions, OH
-. In other ionic solutions it is the dissolved ions themselves, for instance in salt water, sodium chloride dissociated into the ions Na+
and Cl-. In tap water, there are also other metals like calcium, magnesium and iron and anions like sulfates, bicarbonates and more, depending on the water source. All these cations and anions participate in the ionic motion and hence conductivity of the water.
Salt water has more conductivity that tap water because the number of charged ions is usually vastly larger in salt water.
What else can I help you with?
Why does seeds grow in regular water but not in salt water?
Seeds grow in regular water and not in salt water because regular water is more healthy than salt water.
What is the difference in salinity between salt water and fresh water environment?
To be blunt, salt water has a lot more salinity than fresh water.
Why do ships sink more in fresh water than in salt water in respect to freeboard?
It is because the fresh water has less density compared to that of salt water.
How does salt in water affect the boiancy of an egg?
as the salt dissolves in the water the water becomes more dense, so the egg will be more buoyant. (at least you tried to spell it correctly)
Can an egg float better with salt?
An egg will sink in fresh water. Salt water is denser than fresh water, which allows the egg to float.
Does salt water conduct more electricity than fresh water?
Yes, salt water conducts electricity better than fresh water because it contains more ions that can carry electric current. The ions in salt water come from dissolved salts such as sodium chloride (table salt), whereas fresh water has fewer ions and therefore has a lower conductivity.
Why is salt water more dense than freash water?
Because of the salt - salt is denser than water.
Is salt water less dense than tap water?
salt water is more dense than tap water
Since salt dissolves in water does this decrease its density?
Salt water will be more dense than the water, but less dense than the salt.
Can water dissolve more sugar or salt?
More sugar can dissolve in water than salt.
Is warm salt water more dense than cold salt water?
Cold water is more dense.
Is salt water more conductive than fresh water?
Yes, salt water is more conductive than fresh water because the presence of salt ions in salt water allows for the flow of electricity more easily compared to the lack of ions in fresh water.
Why does salt water conduct electricity better than vinegar?
Salt water conducts electricity better than vinegar because it contains dissolved ions, primarily sodium (Na⁺) and chloride (Cl⁻) ions, which facilitate the flow of electric current. In contrast, vinegar, which is a dilute acetic acid solution, has fewer ions available for conduction. While vinegar does dissociate into acetate and hydrogen ions, the overall ion concentration is significantly lower than that in salt water, resulting in poorer conductivity. Thus, the presence of more free-moving ions in salt water enhances its electrical conductivity.
What effects does salt have on water?
No major effects. The salt water and the water join to become a less concentrated salt solution than the salt water but a more concentrated salt solution than the regular water.
Why do ships sink more in fresh water than in salt water in respect to?
Ships sink more in fresh water than in salt water because fresh water is less dense than salt water. This means that a ship will displace less water in fresh water compared to salt water, leading to less buoyancy and a higher likelihood of sinking. Additionally, fresh water lacks the buoyant force provided by dissolved salts in salt water.
Is Salt is less soluble in hot water than cool water?
No, salt is more soluble in hot water than in cool water. Hot water molecules have more energy, creating more space between them for salt molecules to dissolve. This allows for more salt to dissolve in hot water compared to cool water.
Which liquid will rust a penny faster vinigar or salt water?
Salt water will rust a penny faster than vinegar because salt water is an electrolyte that enhances the electrical conductivity, accelerating the oxidation process on the surface of the penny.
