Is Water An Insulator? 7 Facts You Should Know!

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Water is very multifaceted that can be used for various utilities. In this article, let us see if water is an electric insulator or conductor.

Water is an insulator, but it can conduct the electricity flow depending upon the number of available ions formed upon dissolving a mixture or impurities. The water in its pure form is used for various applications like cooling down nuclear reactors, biomass power, coal mining, etc.

We mostly use water in its impure form, full of minerals. It has to be distillate to get pure water free of ions. We shall further discuss in detail the fact that makes water an insulator of heat and electricity, its uses as an insulator, when and how water can conduct electricity, and different factors.

When is water a electric insulator?

Electric insulators are bad conductors that do not allow heat and electricity to pass through them. Let us see when the water shows this characteristic.

The water behaves as an electric insulator only when it is in distilled/ pure form. In its pure form, there is no availability of ions that can account for the conduction of electricity. Henceforth, it does not allow the electric flux or electricity to pass through its volume.

Why is water a electric insulator?

The electric insulators have the highest resistivity, and atoms in the matter are closely packed. Let us discuss the reason behind water being an insulator.

Water is an electric insulator because water’s conductivity is very low and has the highest resistivity. There is no availability of charge/ion that can produce electric flux, as hydrogen makes the strongest bond with oxygen. Thus, water resists the flow of electricity.

Is water a good heat insulator?

Water is used as a good coolant, but now that we know that pure water is an insulator, let us illustrate whether pure water can be a good heat insulator or not.

The water is not an excellent heat insulator because it is a liquid, and the atoms are not densely packed, allowing the heat to flow through its volume by the convection current. Pure water merely allows the heat to flow through it as there are no free ions to acquire this heat.

The absorbed heat energy helps to overcome intermolecular bonding and transfer its phase from liquid to vapor. The water absorbs heat in the presence of acids, salts, and minerals that form ionic bonds with hydroxides and hydronium ions, forming new or breaking bonds.

Uses of Water as an Insulator

Pure water is widely used as an insulator for various purposes. Let us list some of the uses of water as an insulator that we usually come across.

  • The water is used in the car cooling system.
  • Distilled water is used in batteries.
  • Pure water is a coolant in thermal and nuclear power plants to cool down the cells.
  • Distilled water is used in laboratory experiments and fusion tests.
  • The matter is kept under the water to keep it at room temperature.

When does water conduct electricity?

For water to conduct electricity, ions/ free electrons should be available. Let us list some specific conditions when the conduction of electricity is possible through water.

  • Water conducts electricity in the presence of minerals and ions like Ca+, Mg+, K+, Na+, etc.
  • If water is mixed with sand, salt, dissolved impurities, sweat, etc
  • Rainwater, sea, and lake water also conduct electricity.
  • Placing metal or two oppositely charged electrodes in water allows charges to flow.

When does water conduct heat?

For the conduction of heat by water, there should be an availability of ions that can transmit the heat. Let us list some conditions for heat conduction through the water.

  • In the presence of impurities or adding/ mixing solute in water
  • Keeping hot source in close contact or direct supply of heat
  • Conduction through electrolysis
  • Incident electromagnetic radiations
  • Rotation or swirling of water and vibration of water molecules
  • Adding salt to the water

Conclusion

We can conclude from this article that water is an insulator in its pure form and does not generate electricity. It is also regarded as a heat insulator, as no ions are available to transmit heat flow through its volume. It can conduct electricity and heat only by the addition of impurities.

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