I'm doing an electrolysis experiment. I have one jar (4 Litres of water) and have placed 2 copper electrodes in the jar. I added 5% salt to the water. I filled 2 test tubes to the top with water, covered the top and submerged it in water. I'm using a DC power supply. For some reason the water in the test tube connected to the negative end of the power supply is dropping dramatically, therefore it must be producing hydrogen (I checked this with a 'pop' test). However, the water connected to the positive end of the power supply hasn't dropped at all. And aren't I meant to see a 2:1 ratio. Could someone please help me. If you have further questions, you may email me. This is urgent, so could someone please help me.
Answer:
You are right but ideally you need platinum electrodes. The copper may be getting passivated by the oxygen i.e. surface oxidation reducing the effectiveness. I used platinum at school for this experiment & it worked fine. Are your electrodes inside the inverted test tubes so the gas collecting is not escaping?
I believe that non-magnetic stainless steel works( do the magnet test at the hardware store) well also, if your can't afford platinum.
The answers post by the user, for information only, FunQA.com does not guarantee the right.
More Questions and Answers:
7.What is the solubility of Pb(IO3)2 (a) in mol/L, and (b) in g/L ? Ksp of Pb(IO3)2 = 2.5 x 10^-13?
Reaction equilibrium?
Which of the following does not contain hydrogen? (a)Water(b)common salt,or (c)sugar?
When 0.579 g of an unknown compound are dissolved in 200 mL of solution, the osmotic presure was obsrved to...
Why cant a snowball be made if the temperature is too low?
Calculate mass percent, mole fraction, molarity and molality?
I need to make 3M sulphuric acid solution from a container that says it is 95% sulphuric acid.?
Molecular weight of a volatile compound (part 3)?
Calculate the enthalpy change to be expected for NaOH(s) to NaOH(aq)?