IMPROVISED HYDRO

ELECTROLYSIS
Project Objectives:
To demonstrate the separation of
gases present in the solution through
electrolysis process.
To show how energy flows through
the electrolysis system.
To identify which ions reacts faster
in the solution when exposed with
electricity.
 Electrolysis of Water
COMMON PRECONCEPTION
Students may think WATER is a good conductor of
electricity. Water is a very poor conductor of electricity. (
The ionization constant for water is very small). The reason
it is dangerous to insert a light bulb while standing in a
puddle of water is a great solvent for ionic compounds. Tap
water and fresh water typically contain dissolve ions in
sufficient concentrations to enable the solution to be
conductive. However, ions in solution carry the charge and
are thereby responsible for the current, not the water itself.
COMMON PRECONCEPTIONS
Students may think ELECTRONS can flow through
a solution. In conduction of electricity through
solutions, electrons themselves do not pass
through the solutions. Rather, charge balance is
maintained in the solution by movement of
cations and anions toward the electrodes where
the charge transfer takes place.
 Electrolysis of Water
In chemistry, electrolysis is a method of separating
bonded elements and compounds by passing an
electric current through them. An ionic compound, in
this case salt, is dissolved with an appropriate
solvent, such as water, so that its ions are available in
the liquid. An electrical current is applied between a
pair of inert electrodes immersed in the liquid. The
negatively charged electrode is called the cathode,
and the positively charged one the anode. Each
electrode attracts ions which are of the opposite
charge.
 Electrolysis of Water
Therefore, positively charged ions (called cations)
move towards the cathode, while negatively charged
ions (termed anions) move toward the anode. The
energy required to separate the ions, and cause them
to gather at the respective electrodes, is provided by
an electrical power supply. At the probes, electrons
are absorbed or released by the ions, forming a
collection of the desired element or compound.
MATERIALS NEEDED
Stick glue
Ruler
alcohol lamp/safety matches
stripping knife
dry cells (9 V)
2 paper clips (bulldog type)
3 disposable syringes (10 mL)
2 stainless steel screws # 6 (2 x 12)
2 connecting wires (red and black)
iron nail (about 6 cm)
plastic bottle (1 L, 8 cm in diameter
or more ), preferably thick and hard
hard plastic straw or dextrose
plastic tube (6 cm long)
 PROCEDURE
Remove each of the plungers
from the two disposable 10 mL
syringes.

Attach the two syringes

at the base by heating it
in an alcohol lamp.
Insert each tip of the
syringe inside a plastic
straw.

Bend the straw to close

it using a bulldog type
paper clip.

electrolysis
syringes
Divide the plastic bottle into
3 portions by marking 1

cutting lines around the 2 6cm

bottle. 3 5cm

Use the following distance between cutting-line marks:

about 5 cm from the about 6 cm from the marked line

bottom part of the bottle. of the bottom portion. This will
This will serve as the serve as the electrolysis
sample container. apparatus stand.
Using pre-heated stripping knife,
cut the bottle along the marking
lines.

Use the middle portion of the bottle

as a stand for the container.
Make two small squares measuring
2 cm x 2 cm at opposite sides of
the base.
These will serve as the
passageway for the
connecting wires.
Measure the distance between
the centers of the electrolysis
syringes.

Mark this length with a line

on the bottom of the cup.

Using a hot GI
wire/nail (2 mm in
diameter),
bore a small hole at
each end of the line.
Insert the stainless screw
through each hole by rotating
it carefully until 1/4 of the
nail is out at the bottom of
the bottle.

Apply glue around the

stainless screws at the
bottom part of the
container to prevent leaks.

Note: The glue should only be applied

on the outside surface of the container.
Support the sample container using
the electrolysis apparatus stand.

Invert the electrolysis

syringes over the stainless
screws.
Connect the wires (red and
black) to each stainless screw at
the bottom of the container.

Connect the red wire to positive

(+) terminal of the dry cell.

Connect the black wire to

negative (-) terminal of the dry
cell.
Congratulations! You have constructed
an improvised electrolysis apparatus.

sample container
electrolysis
syringes
Attached to
the stainless Attached to
screw the stainless
screw

Connect
black wire to
Connect red
negative (-)
wire to
terminal of
positive (+)
the dry cell.
terminal of
the dry cell.