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Lab Report

Lab report about the electrolysis of salt water

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6 views

Lab Report

Lab report about the electrolysis of salt water

Uploaded by

denmarkgenesisreroma1234567890
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lab Report

Title: Electrolysis of Saltwater


Materials: Water , Salt , Wire , Battery ,
Clips , Syringe , Cup or Beaker
Procedure:
Prepare the Solution:
 Dissolve a small amount of salt (NaCl) in
water. Stir until the salt is fully dissolved. The
salt acts as an electrolyte, increasing the
conductivity of the solution.
Set Up the Electrolysis Apparatus:
 Place the two wires electrodes into the
solution. Make sure the electrodes do not
touch each other.
 Attach the electrodes to the power source
using wires with alligator clips. The negative
terminal of the power supply connects to the
cathode (negative electrode), and the
positive terminal connects to the anode
(positive electrode).
Start the Electrolysis:
 Turn on the power supply. A current will pass
through the solution, causing electrolysis to
occur.
 Gas bubbles will start to form at both
electrodes. At the cathode, hydrogen gas (H₂)
will be produced, and at the anode, oxygen
gas (O₂) or chlorine gas (Cl₂), depending on
the concentration of salt, will be released.
Collect the Gases:
 If you wish to collect the gases, you can
invert test tubes or small containers like
syringe over each electrode. The hydrogen
gas will collect at the cathode, and oxygen or
chlorine gas will collect at the anode.
 Be cautious with chlorine gas, as it is toxic.
Ensure the area is well-ventilated or use a
fume hood.
Observe the Reaction:
 You will observe more gas production at the
cathode (where hydrogen forms) because
hydrogen molecules are smaller and
produced in greater volume compared to
oxygen.
Turn Off the Power:
 After sufficient gas has been collected or
when you are done observing the reaction,
turn off the power supply.
Clean Up:
 Safely dispose of any remaining saltwater
solution and handle any gas (especially
chlorine) with care. Rinse the electrodes and
apparatus thoroughly with water.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the electrolysis of water mixed
with salt demonstrates how an electric current
can decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen.
By adding salt (sodium chloride), the solution
becomes more conductive, and an additional
reaction occurs: chloride ions are oxidized at the
anode, producing chlorine gas instead of oxygen.
During the experiment, hydrogen gas forms at
the cathode, and either oxygen or chlorine gas
forms at the anode, depending on the salt
concentration. This process highlights the role of
electrolytes in enhancing conductivity and
altering reaction outcomes. Overall, the
experiment illustrates key concepts in
electrolysis decomposition and redox reactions,
while also underscoring the importance of safety
when handling gases like chlorine.

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