Electrolysis of Water

Objective

Investigate the process of electrolysis by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen gases.

Materials

• Electrolysis apparatus
• Water
• Sodium sulfate or sulfuric acid (electrolyte)
• Power supply (battery or power adapter)
• Test tubes
• Notebook for observations

Instructions

1. Fill the electrolysis apparatus with water and add a small amount of sodium sulfate or sulfuric acid to act as an electrolyte.
2. Connect the power supply to the electrodes in the apparatus.
3. Invert test tubes over the electrodes to collect the gases produced.
4. Turn on the power supply and observe the formation of gas bubbles at each electrode.
5. Identify the gases as hydrogen and oxygen based on their reaction at the electrodes.
6. Record observations and the volume of gases produced in the notebook.
7. Analyze the results to understand the stoichiometry of the electrolysis reaction.