An expression for the degree of dissociation of a weak electrolyte. For example, if a weak acid dissociates in water,
the dissociation constant Ka is given by
where α is the degree of dissociation, n the initial amount of substance (before dissociation), and V the volume. If α is small compared with 1, then α2=KV/n; i.e. the degree of dissociation is proportional to the square root of the dilution. The law was first put forward by the German physical chemist F. W. Ostwald to account for electrical conductivities of electrolyte solutions in 1888.