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Chemistry Question 72 – JEE-MAIN 2025

The molar conductance of an infinitely dilute solution of ammonium chloride was found to be 185 S cm2 mol−1 and the ionic conductance of hydroxyl and chloride ions are 170 and 70 S cm2 mol−1, respectively. If molar conductance of 0.02 M solution of ammonium hydroxide is 85.5 S cm2 mol−1, its degree of dissociation is given by x×10−1. The value of x is _______. (Nearest integer)

This law helps determine the limiting molar conductivity of weak electrolytes from strong electrolytes.

Step 1: Calculate limiting ionic conductivity of NH4+ ions✦ Active

Use Kohlrausch's Law for ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) to find the limiting ionic conductivity of ammonium ions (λNH4+∘).

ΛNH4Cl∘=λNH4+∘+λCl−∘ 185=λNH4+∘+70 λNH4+∘=185−70=115 S cm2 mol−1
💡 Teacher's Secret Hint

Remember that limiting molar conductivity of a strong electrolyte is the sum of limiting ionic conductivities of its constituent ions.

Step 2: Calculate limiting molar conductivity of NH4OH○ Expand

Now, calculate the limiting molar conductivity of ammonium hydroxide (ΛNH4OH∘) using the limiting ionic conductivities of NH4+ and OH− ions.

ΛNH4OH∘=λNH4+∘+λOH−∘ ΛNH4OH∘=115+170=285 S cm2 mol−1
💡 Teacher's Secret Hint

For weak electrolytes, Λ∘ cannot be determined by extrapolation but can be calculated using Kohlrausch's Law from strong electrolytes.

Step 3: Determine the degree of dissociation and the value of x○ Expand

Calculate the degree of dissociation (α) using the given molar conductivity at 0.02 M concentration (ΛcNH4OH) and the calculated limiting molar conductivity (ΛNH4OH∘). Then, find the value of x from the given expression for α.

α=ΛcNH4OHΛNH4OH∘=85.5285=0.3 Given α=x×10−1 0.3=x×0.1 x=0.30.1=3
💡 Teacher's Secret Hint

The degree of dissociation is a dimensionless quantity, representing the fraction of electrolyte molecules that dissociate into ions.

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