Practical 2 : Investigating oxidation and reduction for electron transfer at a distance.

Title The Electrolysis of Water

Aim To Investigating oxidation and reduction for electron transfer at a

distance.

At anode, the reduction of Oxygen(O 2−¿¿) happen. At cathode, the

Hypothesis +¿¿
oxidation of hydrogen( H ) happen.

1. Manipulated – Current.
Variables 2. Responding – Changes in anode and cathode.
3. Controlled – Type of electrolyte(Distilled Water).

Beaker, Distilled Water, Two test tubes, Power Supply, wire and
Tool and apparatus
connector, thumb tacks, candle, wood splint.

1. The apparatus is arranged as shown in the diagram provided.

2. Turn on switch and electric current is flowed for 20 minutes (until full
tube is filled with gas).
3. Changes in anode and cathode are observed
4. The gas collected in the test tube is tested with a flammable test
stick
Procedure
5. The experiment is repeated by providing the apparatus arrangement
as shown in the diagram provided.
6. Changes in cathode and anode are observed.
7. The gases collected in the test tubes in the anode and cathode are
tested by means of both the test wood and the test wood.
8. The results of the observations obtained are analyzed and
interpreted.

Precaution 1. Make sure use lab spectacles when handling wood test.
2. Make sure the voltage is low to avoid electric shock.
OBSERVATION TABLE

Eletrode Anode Cathode

Observation  A colorless and odorless gas
is released.
 When glowing splinter is
placed on the test tube, the
wood start burning
 A colorless and odorless gas is
released.
 When burning splinter is placed on
the test tube the fire dissapear and
produces a "pop" sound
 The gas collected at the cathode
is twice as much as the volume of
the gas at the anode

Conclusion  The gas is Oxygen  The gas is Hydrogen

Anylyss

Disscussion

Creating an electric potential through water causes positive ions, including the inherent
hydrogen ions H3O+, to move towards the negative electrode (cathode) and negative ions,
including the inherent hydroxide ions OH-, to move towards the positive electrode (anode). With
a sufficient potential difference, this may cause electrolysis with oxygen gas being produced at
the anode and hydrogen gas produced at the cathode.

Equation

Anode - 6H2O(l)   O2(g) + 4H3O+(aq) + 4e-

Cathode- 4e- + 4H2O(l)    2H2(g) + 4OH-(aq)

Overal 2H2O(l)    2H2(g) + O2(g)

When molecular hydrogen (H2) is oxidized by molecular oxygen (O2) to form water (H2O),
the reaction are considered as two coupled processes; the transfer of electrons from the
hydrogen to the oxygen (reduction of the oxygen) and acceptance of electrons from the
hydrogen by oxygen (oxidation of the hydrogen). Oxygen is the oxidizing agent and hydrogen is
the reducing agent.

Conclusion:

The result shows us that the rate of electrolysis increased as the current increased. This is
shown by a faster increase in mass of the cathode. From the graph we can see that almost all
our results pass through the line of origin indicating that current is directly proportional to the
rate of electrolysis. This proves our hypothesis to be true. As the current is doubled so is the
mass.