How to Teach Electrolysis

By Grant McKenzie, eHow Contributor

Electrolysis is the method by which molecules are broken down into smaller molecules or atoms
through the use of an electric current. The electrolysis of water is a common experiment used to
demonstrate this process and is good to include in any classroom presentation. Teaching the
science behind the process and then demonstrating the process is a good way to teach
electrolysis. It allows students with different learning styles to get the most from the instruction.
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need:
 Battery or other source of DC power Distilled water Electrolytes Electrodes Hoffman apparatus Test
tubes wrapped in tape Splints Lighter

Class Instruction
1. 1
Explain that when electrodes are placed in water, the current makes the water molecules break apart into
oxygen and hydrogen molecules that will be drawn to the electrodes.
2. 2
Give the right-hand side of the electrolysis equations to the students, and have them balance the equations.
If they have not already been taught how to balance equations, show them the balanced electrolysis
equations.
3. 3
Have the students hypothesize what will occur in the experiment. Also, have them suggest ways to test the
results. Guide them toward using the splint test.

Running the Electrolysis Experiment

4. 1
Set up the electrolysis experiment before the class starts. Point out the power source, the anode, the
cathode and the Hoffman apparatus, which is designed to hold water for electrolysis while collecting the
resulting gases in test tubes.
5. 2
Have the students go over their hypothesis once again, using the experiment set up to explain what will
happen.
6. 3
Start the experiment and collect the gases.
7. 4
After a sufficient amount of time has passed, conduct the splint test. For the tube that collected hydrogen,
place a lighted splint at the test tube mouth. Keep the tube inverted or the hydrogen will rapidly escape.
There should be a small "pop" as the hydrogen ignites. Light another splint and blow it out. The tip should
still be glowing. Place it at the mouth of the tube containing oxygen, and it should reignite.
8. 5
Review the experiment with the students and ask if it did what was expected, if anything unexpected
happened and how the experiment might be altered to achieve better or faster results.
Read more: How to Teach Electrolysis | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4841682_teach-
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