Measurements in Pure Water

Abstract

Krorkina's measurements in pure double-distilled water are given, a maximum potential of +12 V. An early SIPRE (Snow, Ice, and Permafrost Research Establishment, the predecessor of CRREL) translation of an article by Arabadzhi reported that collision of water drops with ice crystals in clouds causes the electricity in lightning and laboratory measurements of contact potentials of 150 to 200 mV between water and ice were measured during freezing. More recently, Murphy meticulously measured the potentials generated during freezing of double-distilled water in a special cell from which air was pumped out, to avoid CO2 absorption by water. In general, Murphy found that in pure water and most dilute solutions (NH4Cl, Na Cl, K Cl, LiCl, NaI, CaCl2, MgCl2, KMnO4, K-dichromate, HCl, HNO3, NaOH, ethyl alcohol, Nabarbiturate and phenol-phthalein. At high concentrations (exceeding 1 micromolar) most of these solutions showed ice-negative or zero potentials.