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Chemistry

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    $\begingroup$ What do you mean that salt water is more conductive than distilled water but is less dielectric? $\endgroup$
    – Dissenter
    Commented Aug 21, 2014 at 16:37
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    $\begingroup$ The salt ions in sea water make it a better conductor of electricity than purified water. The reason this makes salt water a poor dielectric is because by definition: a dielectric "is an electrical insulator that can be polarized by an applied electric field". Therefor, since sea water is a better conductor, it would be a poorer insulator and hence a poorer dielectric. I guess one could say that the conductivity and dielectricity of a substance are inversely related, with the added requirement that to be dielectric it must also be polar. $\endgroup$
    – Vladimir
    Commented Aug 21, 2014 at 18:24
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    $\begingroup$ @Dissenter, I updated my answer with a few more details to make it a little clearer because upon rereading it, I found that I had some confusing wording in it. :) $\endgroup$
    – Vladimir
    Commented Aug 21, 2014 at 18:51
  • $\begingroup$ The ability to conduct electricity and the dielectric constant are not particularly or directly related. The answer confuses the two concepts and doesn't really address the intent of the question. $\endgroup$
    – matt_black
    Commented Jan 18, 2019 at 12:17
  • $\begingroup$ Thanks @matt_black! Could you provide some more details and clarification so I can point readers to your response? $\endgroup$
    – Vladimir
    Commented Apr 6, 2021 at 5:44