Q.Match the terms given in Column I with the items given in Column II.
Column I:
Column II:
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →This question tests your ability to classify four key electrochemical quantities as either intensive or extensive, and to identify which one depends on ion concentration per volume and which one changes with dilution. The correct matches are: (i) → (d), (ii) → (a), (iii) → (b), (iv) → (c).
Before we match, let’s build a clear mental picture of what each term means and why it behaves the way it does. This isn’t about memorising labels — it’s about understanding the physical meaning behind each property.
The core idea: intensive vs. extensive
An intensive property does not depend on how much of the substance you have. Temperature, density, and concentration are intensive — they stay the same whether you have a drop or a bucket. An extensive property scales with the amount of matter — mass, volume, total energy. If you double the system, an extensive property doubles.
Now apply this lens to electrochemistry.
1. — Molar conductivity
Molar conductivity is defined as:
where is the conductivity (how easily ions carry current) and is the concentration. As you dilute a solution, the number of ions per unit volume drops, so falls. But actually increases with dilution because the ions are more free to move — interionic attractions weaken. So is not a fixed number for a given electrolyte; it changes with concentration. Specifically, it increases with dilution.
A common mistake is to think that because involves concentration in its definition, it must be intensive. But it’s not — it’s a property that varies with how dilute the solution is. The key is that it changes with dilution, not that it’s constant.
So (i) matches with (d) increases with dilution.
2. — Standard cell potential
The standard cell potential is the voltage of an electrochemical cell under standard conditions (1 M concentration, 1 bar pressure, 298 K). It is determined solely by the nature of the electrodes and the redox reaction — not by how much electrolyte you have or how big the cell is. Whether you have a tiny cell or a huge one, remains the same. That makes it an intensive property.
| Property | Intensive? | Why? |
|----------|------------|------|
| | Yes | Independent of system size |
| | No | Scales with amount of reaction |
So (ii) matches with (a) intensive property.
3. — Conductivity (specific conductance)
Conductivity is the conductance of a 1 cm cube of solution. It depends on:
- The number of ions per unit volume (concentration)
- The mobility of those ions …
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