The Chemical Composition of Water

Separating water into Hydrogen and Oxygen gas

Exploring Creation with Physical Science
Experiment 4.1    Apologia

Our experiment today used a 9-volt battery, salt water made with Epson salt, a glass, 2 test tubes, and safety glasses.  By using the battery, we were breaking the water molecule down to hydrogen gas and oxygen gas.

First, we made the salt water and submerged the battery for ten minutes, terminals up, to remove the trapped air from the battery.



Next, we used a large mixing bowl to make more of the salt solution.  We then filled the test tubes completely with the solution.  After carefully moving the filled test tubes to the glass with the battery, we simultaneously placed them upside down over the battery's terminals.  We made sure we had no air in the tubes by keeping the tips immersed in the salt water.

Once the test tubes were collecting the Oxygen and Hydrogen, we monitored the experiment to see how much of each gas was produced.

We learned that the negative terminal battery produced hydrogen gas while the positive terminal collected Oxygen. (Hydrogen is on the left!)  There was twice as much Hydrogen as Oxygen. With our simple experiment, we were able to "see" the chemical formula for water - H(2)O.

Each experiment requires a written laboratory report.  Michael is working on his for this lab!

I Love Science!

Add a link to your blog highlighting your science adventures.  A link back here is nice but not required.  If you don't have a blog, leave a comment.  I am looking forward to hearing about your experiments -- the ones that worked and the ones that.. oh, didn't!