Everyone knows to keep electronics away from water as water conducts electricity. However, certain dissolved particles can make the conductivity of water increase or decrease. Setting up a rudimentary conductivity test will allow you to visualize the effects of solutes on the conductive properties of water.
Instructions
Creating the Tester
1. Solder electrical wire to the snap connector for the 9V battery. Attach and solder an alligator clip to the wire that will be the negative end.
2. Solder the resistor to the wire connected to the positive end. Solder the LED to the resistor and the other alligator clip to the other end of the LED.
3. Clip a medium length of straightened paper clip to each alligator clip, ensuring that they do not touch so you do not create a short after you connect the battery.
Testing the Solutions
4. Dip each paper clip into the test solution without touching each other, or the bottom or sides of the glass.
5. Observe the strength of light emitting from the LED.
6. Repeat this for other test solutions. The stronger the light, the more conductive the solution is.
Tags: alligator clip, paper clip, Solder resistor