Question

When a potential difference is applied across an electrolyte, Ohm's law will be obeyed at -
1. negative potential
2. lower potential
3. zero potential
4. higher potential

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 4 : higher potential

The correct answer is option 4) i.e. higher potential

CONCEPT:

• Ohm’s law: It gives the relation between current, voltage, and resistance in a circuit.
  • Ohm’s law states that the current through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to the voltage across the two points i.e. V ∝ I

Therefore, V = IR

Where R is the resistance.

• This law is valid only for a conductor at the same physical and temperature conditions. 
• For a conductor at a constant temperature, the plot of the V-I graph will be a straight line through the origin.
• The slope of the V-I graph gives the value of resistance.

EXPLANATION:

• An electrolyte is a substance that contains free ions. 
• When potential is applied to an electrolyte, the ions in them start to dissociate. The movement of these ions causes the electric current through an electrolyte.
• As the voltage increases, the number of dissociated ions also increases. This continues until no more dissociation can occur and this voltage will be the highest voltage.
• At this highest voltage, the electrolyte now behaves as a conductor and thus, obeys Ohm's law.