Extension of Stokes' Law for Ionic Motion to Include the Effect of Dielectric Relaxation

Abstract

The suggestion made by Fuoss that dielectric relaxation induced by ionic motion in polar solvents contributes to the frictional force experienced by the ion has been treated theoretically on a macroscopic basis analogous to the Stokes' law treatment of the conventional hydrodynamic friction. An equation previously proposed by Fuoss on a semiempirical basis results from this treatment. Experimental dielectric relaxation times are shown to lead to an effect of the proposed magnitude.