1. David Kennedy December 6th 2014
Electrolysis of Water
David Kennedy
December 6th 2014

2. Scientific Question
At any given time, what is the ratio between the amount of hydrogen and oxygen produced in the electrolysis of water, to volts of electricity?

3. Background
I liked the idea of being able to divide a compound into its elements by using electrolysis
I knew that this experiment would not be a very expensive project
I have always been interested in Chemistry, since the third grade, when I found my father’s old periodic table of elements.

4. Hypothesis
The rate of electrolysis will stay in proportion with the volts of electricity no matter how many volts are applied.

5. Materials Batteries Test Tube Fresh water Salt Wires Metal nails
Balloon

6. Variables Independant: Volts, Dependant: Amount of Hydrogen and Oxygen
Constant: Amount of water, amount of time, way of measurement

7. Procedure
Two metal nails will be inserted into the sides of a test tube(not touching). The plastic cup will be filled full with a salt water solution.
Two separate wires will be attached to the nails. One on each.

8. Procedure (Continued)
The mouth of the test tube will be covered with a balloon (closed system).
The desired battery will be added to the circuit by means of the remaining ends of the wires to complete the circuit and the timer will begin.

9. Procedure (Continued)
The Electrolysis will be allowed to operated for exactly 10 minutes.
The circuit will be broken stopping the electrolysis.
The balloon will be carefully removed from the mouth of the test tube and tied
The amount of gas in the balloon will be calculated and recorded.

10. Procedure (Continued)
The test tube will be emptied, and filled full with a salt water solution.
A new balloon will be placed over the mouth of the test tube.
Steps 1 through 9 will be repeated with different batteries of different voltages until experiment is finished.

11. Procedure Pictures

12. Trial One
Using the plastic cup created to much space and the gases could not build up enough pressure to fill the balloon so we tried a different method. The results are not recorded in the data tables. (Next Slide)

13. Data Volts 1.5 Volts 6 Volts 9 Volts Production of Gas 1.483 inches

14. Conclusion
In any given amount of time what is the ratio of hydrogen and oxygen being split apart in water electrolysis to volts of electricity?
A certain voltage was applied to the salt water solution and the electrolysis began. The 1.5 volt battery produced inches. The 6 volt battery produced inches. The 9 volt produced inches.

15. Conclusion (Continued)
My data does support my hypothesis. As the voltage increases the amount of gas produced increases in proportional amounts. I learned that no matter how many volts that you add the amount of gas produced will stay in proportion.
Some problems that I had were that some batteries did not build up enough pressure to fill the balloon to a measurable amount.

16. Aftermath Pictures