Having a Gas with Water

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In this activity, learners construct a simple electrolysis device. With this device, learners can decompose water into its elemental components: hydrogen and oxygen gas. Bubbles emanating from submerged stainless steel electrodes can be collected and tested for their makeup. These experiments require adult supervision and proper eye protection.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
4 to 24 hours
Estimated Materials Cost:
$5 - $10 per student
Age Range:
Ages 14 - 18
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per student)

  • Stainless steel screws at least 1.5 inches in length
  • Tall plastic bowl or disposable container (yogurt container, 1 quart or larger)
  • Epsom Salt
  • 9-volt battery
  • Candle (votive)
  • Pots or container to melt the wax
  • Rubber bands
  • Paper cup
  • Oven or microwave
  • Scissors
  • Spoon
  • Test tubes (optional)
  • Matches (optional)
  • Wooden splint or wooden coffee stirrer (optional)
  • Goggles or plastic glasses
  • Plasticine (optional)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Earth and Space Science
    • Earth Structure
      • Oceans and Water
      • Atmosphere
  • Physical Sciences
    • Heat and Thermodynamics
      • Heat and Temperature
    • Electricity and Magnetism
      • Electric Charges and Currents
    • Chemistry
      • Solutions
    • States of Matter
      • Liquids
      • Gases
    • Structure and Properties of Matter
      • Atomic Structure
      • Elements and Periodic Table
      • Elementary Particles and Nuclear Physics
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations

Informal Categories

  • Electronics

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • see color
  • hear
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Muller, Eric

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Exploratorium,