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Which physical properties did Wilhelm Ostwald measure to investigate chemical equilibrium?
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Wilhelm Ostwald
Wilhelm Ostwald.
To investigate chemical equilibrium without altering the state of the reaction through traditional chemical analysis, Wilhelm Ostwald measured the following physical properties:
- Volume
- Refractive index
- Electrical conductivity1
By adapting these measurements, Ostwald was able to indirectly analyze the equilibrium point in aqueous solutions where two acids competed to react with a base. He later utilized electrical conductivity measurements extensively to test his famous dissolution law, which provided critical evidence for the theory of electrolytic dissociation.1