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Activities, Experiments, Projects
Note: This section is an abbreviated overview of the experiments online.
Experiment: Electrolysis (-) pole of the battery and that the
other is connected to the positive
We’re going to use electricity to
(+) pole. Don’t let the bare parts of
split the water molecule (H 2O) into the different wires touch. They
hydrogen and oxygen atoms. could get very hot if they do.
Molecules can also be split
chemically, or by getting hit by a 4. Fill the test tube to the brim
with the salt water.
fast-moving particle. (Note that the
word ‘electrolysis’ can also refer to
5. This is the tricky part. Put your
the removal of hair, and that’s not finger over the test tube, turn it
what we’re after with this over and put the test tube, open
experiment.) You will need: side down, into the cup of water.
· 1 test tube 6. Now put the other wire into the
· 2 two wires water. Be careful not to let the
· 1 Cup bare parts of the wires touch.
· Water
· One 9 volt battery 7. You should see bubbles rising
· Long match into the test tube. If you don’t see
· Rubber bands bubbles, check the other wire. If
· Masking tape bubbles are coming from the other
· Salt wire either switch the wires on the
battery connections or put the wire
1. Fill the cup with water. that is bubbling into the test tube
and remove the other. If you see
2. Put a tablespoon or so of salt no bubbles check the connections
into the water and stir it up. (The on the battery.
salt allows the electricity to flow
better through the water.) 8. When the test tube is half full of
gas (half empty of salt water
2. Put one wire into the test tube depending on how you look at it)
and rubber band it to the test tube light the long match or the wooden
so that it won’t come out (see stick. Then take the test tube out
picture). of the water and let the water
drain out. Holding the test tube
3. Use the masking tape to attach with the open end down, wait for
both wires to the battery. Make five seconds and put the burning
sure the wire that is in the test stick deep into the test tube (the
tube is connected to the negative flame will probably go out but
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