When the concentration of a strong electrolyte in aqueous solution is increased, does the electrical conductivity of the solution increase or decrease?

• A. Conductivity increases
• B. Conductivity first increases, then decreases
• C. Conductivity remains unchanged
• D. Conductivity decreases

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that electrical conductivity in an aqueous solution depends on the concentration of ions present, as ions carry electric current through the solution.
2. Recognize that a strong electrolyte completely dissociates into ions in water, so increasing its concentration increases the number of charge carriers (ions) available.
3. Recall that initially, as concentration increases, conductivity increases because more ions are present to conduct electricity.
4. Consider that at very high concentrations, ion interactions and increased solution viscosity can hinder ion mobility, potentially causing conductivity to level off or decrease slightly.
5. Conclude that for typical concentration ranges, increasing the concentration of a strong electrolyte generally leads to an increase in electrical conductivity.