446 
Lincoln—Electrical Condudivity . 
other type (e. g. hydrocarbons), is found not to yield solutions 
that conduct, other members do not possess dissociative power. 
The data collected are as yet insufficient to show what the re¬ 
lation between solvent and dissolved substance must be in or¬ 
der to yield solutions that conduct electricity. Enough facts 
have been presented, however, to make it apparent that any 
theory that aims to explain the electrical conductivity of solu¬ 
tions in general, must take into consideration the influence of 
the solvent upon the dissolved substance. This subject is re¬ 
plete with interest; for closely connected with it is the true 
cause of the solubility of substances. 
Carrara 1 states that the electrical conductivity of a solution 
depends upon (a) the dissociative power of the solvent and (b) 
on the electrical friction or friction between the solvent and the 
ions. This factor of electrolytic friction he obtains from Kohl- 
rausch’s formula /x oo — k (u + v), where k is a constant. This 
formula is based upon the fact that the conductivity in aqueous 
solutions is an additive property. Carrara himself has pointed 
out in the case of methyl alcoholic solutions, that the end value 
does not represent a condition of complete dissociation, but 
corresponds to an equilibrium between the dissociated, the un¬ 
dissociated and complex molecules. As evidence of this he 
points to the disagreement between the degree of dissociation 
when calculated from the boiling point and from the conduc¬ 
tivity determinations. From the work of Dutoit and Friderich 
on the boiling point of acetone solutions, it appears that the 
degree of dissociation is very slight, since normal molecular 
weights were obtained; hence it would seem that the other 
factor, electrolytic friction, was the one remaining, according to 
Carrara, upon which the large conductivity of acetone solutions 
depends. It therefore appears evident that Carrara’s idea can¬ 
not be accepted as the sole cause of electrolytic conductivity. 
Dutoit and Friderich, 2 from the results of other investigators 
and from their own researches on the ketones and nitriles, conclude 
that; “la conductibilite des electrolytes dissous dans un dissolvant 
*Gazz. Chem. Ital., I, 207-222; 1897; (Ref.) Jour . Chem. Soo ,, 72, ii, 
471; 1897. 
2 Loc. cit. 
