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REQUIREMENTS
SETUP
Take care when handling this apparatus. It is a fragile single piece of glassware which
can be broken easily by mishandling. Keep all packaging for safe storage.
1. Secure the apparatus on the metal stand.
2. Carefully insert the electrodes into the bottom of the voltameter. Ensure theyre
in firmly so that the apparatus wont leak.
3. Open the taps on the voltameter to allow air to escape when filling.
4. Put 2mL of weak sulphuric acid into the voltameter.
5. Fill the voltameter with distilled water, leaving as small as possible volume of air
underneath the taps.
6. Close the taps.
7. Connect the power supply to the electrodes.
EXPERIMENT
Turn on the power supply and turn the voltage up until bubbles appear above the
electrodes. These bubbles should rise and the gas collected at the top of the burette.
The higher the voltage, the faster the reaction.
Leave the apparatus running for at least 15 minutes.
Electrode
Anode (+ve)
Cathod (-ve)
Volume
Reaction
Gas
TESTING GAS
1. Collect and trap a sample of one of the gasses.
2. Light a splint, and then extinguish it so it remains glowing.
3. Insert the glowing splint into the test tube with the gas sample and observe the
reaction.
4. If there is no reaction, then the gas might have escaped the test tube. Collect
another sample and try again.
RESULTS
You should have observed the following:
The gas above the anode (connected to the positive output of the power supply)
caused the glowing splint to re-light. This suggests it is oxygen.
Twice as much gas was collected above the cathode (connected to the negative
output of the power supply). A loud pop was heard and a brief flame observed
when the glowing splint was inserted, because the gas was burned. This
suggests it is hydrogen.
()
( )
( )
()
( )
( )
To exclude the possibility of the sulphuric acid being present in the electrolysis products,
simply titrate the remaining water from the voltameter to account for all the acid.
The sulphuric acid was used as an ionic compound to improve the conductivity of the
water (pure water is a very poor conductor on its own).
FURTHER DISCUSSION
Although the net reaction is water being decomposed into oxygen and hydrogen, there
are in fact two reactions taking place:
At the cathode:
()
At the anode:
()
( )
( )
()
()
The electrons moving from the cathode to the anode is the current flow.
DISASSEMBLY
Take care not to place too much strain on the glass when removing the apparatus.
Start by removing the outer tubes from their clips, then remove the central tube from its
clip, if using a holder with a central clip.
Place the glassware in its original packaging for maximum protection in storage.