Electrolysis of water

Electric power is used in everyday life not only to produce light, heat  or cold and to run motors, computers and more. It is also needed for chemical reactions (electrolysis) to produce metals and non metals.
The important electrochemical reaction of converting water into its elements will be done in the following microscale experiment.                Experiment

 1.     Mark near the middle of the beaker two points nine millimeters apart on the bottom.

2.     Heat one of the needles; make a hole at each of the markers in the bottom of the cup.                                                              (more see below)

 For another video on microscale electrolysis of water see:  https://vimeo.com/102918687

3.     Fix the needles into the terminal block and push them as far as possible through the two holes into the interior of the beaker. Seal the holes with adhesive to make them watertight.

4.     Attach from below the leads from the battery clips to the terminal block.

5.     Label both ampoules and fill them completely with sodium sulfate solution. Fill the beaker with this solution so that the needles are fully covered.

6.     Turn the ampoules full of solution carefully with the opening down and place them into the solution over the needles. Make sure that they are completely filled with liquid, so no air is left in them.

7.     Connect the battery clip to the battery and wait until the ampoule on the negative electrode is full of gas.

8.     Test the gas in the ampoule for hydrogen (“negative oxyhydrogen test” = burning without bang).

9.     Wait until the other ampoule is full of gas.

10.  Test the gas for oxygen by introducing a glowing paper wick or a glowing wooden splint.