Understanding Polarograph: A Device Used to Measure Electrical Conductivity

Polarograph is a device used to measure the electrical conductivity of a material. It consists of two electrodes, one stationary and one moving, which are immersed in the material being tested. The movement of the moving electrode causes a change in the electric field around the stationary electrode, which in turn causes a current to flow between the electrodes. The current flowing between the electrodes is proportional to the conductivity of the material being tested.

The polarograph was invented by German physicist Gerhard Friedrich Michel in the early 20th century and was widely used in the measurement of electrical conductivity of materials. It has largely been replaced by more modern techniques such as four-point probe and scanning probe microscopy.

Polarograph is still used in some specialized applications, such as in the study of highly conductive materials and in the measurement of very low concentrations of impurities in semiconductors.

The principle behind polarograph is based on the fact that when a material is placed in an electric field, ions or free electrons within the material will move in response to the field, causing an electric current to flow. By measuring the current flowing between the electrodes, the conductivity of the material can be determined.

Polarograph is a versatile tool for studying the electrical properties of materials and has been used in a wide range of applications, from the study of metals and semiconductors to the measurement of soil resistivity. It continues to be an important tool in research and development, as well as in quality control and process monitoring in various industries.