What is the significance of the small value of the ionization constant of water and how does it relate to the electrical conductivity of water?

Answer 1

The ionization constant for water (Kw) is 1x10^-14. This is a very low value indicated the very low ionization of water. Most water molecules exist in tge unionized state as H₂O, and not as H⁺and OH^-. Because of this, very few ions exist in pure water making it a very poor conductor of electricity.

Answer 2

The small value of Kw = 10^-14 moles per L means that only a very small fraction of pure water will be in its ionized form of H3O+ and OH-. Since currents are just charged particles in motion, the electrical conductivity of pure water is very low.

Because most water in lakes, rivers, and home water systems has dissolved ionic salts and metals within it, tap water, for example, is a much better conductor than pure water.