SIP
Grades K-5
Pencil Electrolysis
Introduction:
The process by which we separate the elements hydrogen and oxygen from water is called electrolysis. The word "lysis" means to dissolve or break apart, so the word "electrolysis" literally means to break something apart (in this case water) using electricity. It is difficult to break up water into it’s elements lots of energy is needed to do that. Through a chemical means though, we can separate the compound of water into the elements that combine to make it. Electrolysis is very easy - all you have to do is arrange for electricity to pass through some water between to electrodes placed in the water. It’s as simple as that!
CAUTION! HEALTH & SAFETY: The reaction neutralizes the solution, which can be disposed of by pouring it down the drain.
Materials:
A battery or solar panel with a voltage greater than 1.5 volts - 9 volt batteries work well.
Two pieces of electrical wire about a foot long. It’s convenient, but not necessary, if the wires have alligator clips at each end.
Two number 2 pencils tap water small piece of cardboard electrical or masking tape.
1 teaspoon Epsom Salt
Petri dish
A glass
1 tablespoon red cabbage juice
Procedure:
1. Remove the erasers and their metal sleeves from both pencils, and sharpen both ends of both pencils.
2. Fill the glass with warm water and add 1 teaspoon of Epsom salt and 1 tablespoon of red cabbage juice.
3. Stir the mixture thoroughly.
4. Pour some of the water mixture into the petri dish until it is ¾ of the way full.
5. Attach wires to the electrodes on the solar cell or battery, and the other ends to the tips of the pencils, as shown in the diagram below. It is important to make good contact with the graphite (lead) in the pencils. Secure the wires with tape.
6. Punch small holes in the cardboard, and push the pencils through the holes, as shown in the diagram below.
American Chemical Society
1155 Sixteenth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036
T [202]
Pencil Electrolysis
Introduction:
The process by which we separate the elements hydrogen and oxygen from water is called electrolysis. The word "lysis" means to dissolve or break apart, so the word "electrolysis" literally means to break something apart (in this case water) using electricity. It is difficult to break up water into it’s elements lots of energy is needed to do that. Through a chemical means though, we can separate the compound of water into the elements that combine to make it. Electrolysis is very easy - all you have to do is arrange for electricity to pass through some water between to electrodes placed in the water. It’s as simple as that!
CAUTION! HEALTH & SAFETY: The reaction neutralizes the solution, which can be disposed of by pouring it down the drain.
Materials:
A battery or solar panel with a voltage greater than 1.5 volts - 9 volt batteries work well.
Two pieces of electrical wire about a foot long. It’s convenient, but not necessary, if the wires have alligator clips at each end.
Two number 2 pencils tap water small piece of cardboard electrical or masking tape.
1 teaspoon Epsom Salt
Petri dish
A glass
1 tablespoon red cabbage juice
Procedure:
1. Remove the erasers and their metal sleeves from both pencils, and sharpen both ends of both pencils.
2. Fill the glass with warm water and add 1 teaspoon of Epsom salt and 1 tablespoon of red cabbage juice.
3. Stir the mixture thoroughly.
4. Pour some of the water mixture into the petri dish until it is ¾ of the way full.
5. Attach wires to the electrodes on the solar cell or battery, and the other ends to the tips of the pencils, as shown in the diagram below. It is important to make good contact with the graphite (lead) in the pencils. Secure the wires with tape.
6. Punch small holes in the cardboard, and push the pencils through the holes, as shown in the diagram below.
American Chemical Society
1155 Sixteenth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036
T [202]