ELECTROLYSIS OF WATER

A project by Shrikanth Pillai XII B

12th GRADE CHEMISTRY

Acknowledgement

Primarily I would like to thank God for being able to complete this
project with success. Then I would like to thank my physics
teacher Ms. Pooja Aroon whose valuable guidance has been the
ones that helped me to patch this project and make it full proof
success. Her suggestions and instructions have served as the
major contributor towards the competition of this project.

Then I would like to thank my parents and classmates who have

helped me with their valuable suggestions and feedback which
was very valuable during various phases of the project
completion.

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INDEX

Electrolysis

Mechanism of Electrolysis

Quantitative Aspects of Electrolysis

Experiment

Bibliography

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Electrolysis

The term electrolysis was first popularized in the 19th century by Michael
Faraday. It was a process that helped in the study of chemical reactions in
obtaining pure elements. Today, electrolysis is commercially important as it
is used widely in separating or obtaining pure elements from naturally
occurring sources such as ores.

Electrolysis is a technique that uses direct electric current (DC) to drive an

otherwise non-spontaneous chemical reaction. Electrolysis is defined as a
process of decomposing ionic compounds into their elements by passing a
direct electric current through the compound in a fluid form. The cations
are reduced at cathode and anions are oxidized at the anode. The main
components that are required for conducting electrolysis are an electrolyte,
electrodes, and some form of external power source is also needed.
Additionally, a partition such as an ion-exchange membrane or a salt
bridge is also used but this is optional. These are used mainly to keep the
products from diffusing near the opposite electrode.

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Mechanism of Electrolysis

Whenever an electrolyte is dissolved in water or is taken in the molten

state, the electrolyte dissociates to produce Positively and Negatively
charged ions. On passing electric current, the positively charged ions move
towards the cathode and hence are called cations, whereas the negatively
charged ions move towards the anode and hence are called anions. On
reaching their respective electrodes, ions lose their charge and become
neutral. The cations accept electrons from the cathode to become neutral
species. Thus, oxidation occurs at the anode while reduction takes place at
the anode. The conversion of ions into neutral species at their respective
electrodes is called Primary change. The product formed as a result of
primary change may be collected as such or it may go under a Secondary
change to form the final products.

Generally, electrodes that are made from metal, graphite and

semiconductor materials are used. However, the choice of a suitable
electrode is done based on chemical reactivity between the electrode and
electrolyte as well as the manufacturing cost.

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Quantitative Aspects of Electrolysis

Michael Faraday was the first scientist who described the quantitative
aspects of electrolysis.

Faraday's Laws Of Electrolysis-

First Law:- The amount of chemical reaction which occurs at any

electrode during electrolysis by a current is proportional to the quantity of
electricity passed through the electrolyte (solution or melt).

Mathematically, it can be expressed as:

m∝Q

where, ‘m’ is the mass of a substance (in grams) deposited at electrode and
‘Q’ is the amount of charge (in coulombs) passed through it

Second Law :- The amounts of different substances liberated by the same

quantity of electricity passing through the electrolytic solution are
proportional to their chemical equivalent weights (atomic mass of metal
number of electrons required to reduce the cation).

Mathematically, it can be expressed as

w∝E

where, ‘w’ is the mass of the substance and ‘E’ is the equivalent weight of
the substance.

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Factors affecting Electrolysis-

The factors that may affect the electrolysis are:

1. Nature of the electrode

2. Nature and state of the electrolyte

3. Nature and electrode budding of ions present in the electrolyte and

4. Over voltage at the electrodes

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EXPERIMENT

AIM: TO STUDY ELECTROLYSIS OF WATER

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Theory

The electrolyte is dilute sulphuric acid (= acidified water) which, during

electrolysis is split into hydrogen and oxygen gasses. This is one
experimental method of showing water is a compound composed of the
elements hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Water only ionizes to a tiny extent
giving minute concentrations of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions, so the
presence of high concentrations of hydrogen ions (H+) and sulfate ions
(SO42–) from the acid, makes water a much better electrical conductor (a
much better electrolyte solution). These small extra ion concentrations of
hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxide ions (OH–) are from the self-ionization
of water itself.

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The electrode reactions and products of the electrolysis of acidified water are
illustrated by the theory diagram in the previous page.

The half-equations for the electrolysis of sulphuric acid are:

(a) The negative cathode electrode reaction for the electrolysis of water

The negative cathode electrode reaction is a reduction (electron gain).The

hydrogen ions (H+) are attracted to the negative cathode and are
discharged as hydrogen gas.

(b) The positive anode electrode reaction for the electrolysis of water

The positive anode reaction is an oxidation electrode reaction. The

negative sulfate ions (SO42-) or the traces of hydroxide ions (OH–) are
attracted to the positive electrode. But the sulfate ion is too stable and
nothing happens. Instead either hydroxide ions or water molecules are
discharged and oxidized to form oxygen.

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Materials Required

● Container

● Sulphuric acid

● 9V battery

● Crocodile clips

● Carbon electrodes

● Foam

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Procedure

1. Take a foam piece. Insert 2 black colored Carbon electrodes in this piece
maintaining a distance of about 2 cm between them.

2. Connect 2 crocodile clips to the top of these electrodes.

3. Take water up to 3/4 th level in the container.

4. Add 2-3 drops of sulphuric acid in the water.

5. Place the foam piece on top of the container in such a way that both the
electrodes dip in water and are not touching the wall of the container.

6. Fix crocodile clips of wires on +ve and -ve of a good quality 9 V battery.

7. Wait for 2 minutes. The decomposition of water starts immediately. Gas

bubbles start collecting on both the electrodes.

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Observation

The bubbles are clearly visible on both the electrodes.This is indicative of

the fact that gas is being formed at both electrodes. The electrode
connected to the negative end of the battery (the cathode) collects more gas
than the Anode. This is due to the formation of hydrogen gas here, which is
present in 2:1 ratio with formation of oxygen gas. Oxygen gas is produced
at the anode.

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Precautions

1) Always wear protective rubber gloves

2) Always turn off the power before making adjustments to the setup. Do

not touch electrolyte, electrodes and iron objects with bare hands at the

same time when power is applied, otherwise you will receive a mild shock.

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Bibliography

https://en.wikipedia.org

https://byjus.com/

https://images.google.com/

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