Electrical conductivity (EC) of water and total dissolved solids (TDS)...
An approximate analysis for TDS is often made by determining the electrical conductivity of the water. The ability of water to conduct electricity is called specific conductance and it is a function of its ionic strength. Unfortunately, specific conductance and concentration of TDS are not related on a one to one basis. Only ionized substances contribute to specific conductance. Organic molecules and compounds that dissolve without ionizing are not measured. Additionally, the magnitude of specific conductance is influenced by the valence of the ions in the solution, their mobility and their relative numbers. The temperature also has an important effect with specific conductance increasing as the water temperature increases. The ions usually accounting for majority of TDS in natural waters are Na, Ca, Mg, HCO-3, SO2-4, Cl-, etc. Hence their presence increases the electrical conductivity of water.
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Electrical conductivity (EC) of water and total dissolved solids (TDS)...
Introduction:
Electrical conductivity (EC) is a measure of a solution's ability to conduct an electric current. It is influenced by the presence of charged ions in the solution. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) refers to the total amount of inorganic and organic substances dissolved in water, including salts, minerals, metals, and other compounds.
Interrelation between EC and TDS:
EC and TDS are closely related due to the presence of dissolved ions in water. As the concentration of dissolved ions increases, both EC and TDS values also increase. This is because the ions present in the water act as charge carriers and facilitate the flow of electric current.
Explanation of the correct answer (Option B):
The EC value of water increases with an increase in TDS concentration. This means that as the amount of dissolved solids in water increases, the ability of the water to conduct electric current also increases. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
Reason for the increase in EC with an increase in TDS:
When dissolved solids, such as salts, minerals, and other compounds, are present in water, they dissociate into charged ions. These ions have the ability to carry electric current. As the concentration of dissolved solids increases, the number of charged ions in the water also increases. This results in an increase in the conductivity of water, as more ions are available to carry the electric current.
Example:
For example, consider two water samples: Sample A with a low TDS concentration and Sample B with a high TDS concentration. When an electric current is passed through both samples, Sample B will have a higher EC value compared to Sample A. This is because Sample B contains a higher concentration of dissolved solids, resulting in a greater number of charged ions available to conduct the electric current.
Conclusion:
In summary, the EC of water is directly related to the TDS concentration. As the amount of dissolved solids increases, the ability of water to conduct electric current also increases. Therefore, the correct answer is option B, which states that the EC increases with an increase in TDS concentration.
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