Electricity. Chemistry. Nothing in common, have nothing to do with each other. Wrong! Electrochemistry has been a fact since 1774. Once electricity was applied to particular solutions, changes occurred that scientists of the time did not expect.

In this lab, we will discover some of the same things that Farraday found over 300 years ago. We will be there as things tear apart, particles rush about, and the power of attraction is very strong. We’re not talking about dancing, we’re talking about something much more important and interesting….we’re talking about ELECTROCHEMISTRY!

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Materials:

• Test tube rack
• 9V battery clip
• 9V battery
• Flashlight lamp
• Gloves
• Electrical wires
• Aluminum foil
• Water
• Sugar
• Salt
• Sodium carbonate (MSDS)
• Measuring spoon

When the salt sodium chloride (NaCl) mixes with water, it separates into its positively (Na+) and negatively (Cl-) charged particles (ions). When a substance mixes with water and separates into its positive and negative parts, it’s called a ‘salt’.

Salts can be any color of the rainbow, from the deep orange of potassium dichromate to the vivid purple of potassium permanganate to the inky black of manganese dioxide. Did you know that MSG (monosodium glutamate) is a salt? Most salts are not consumable, as in the lead poisoning you’d get if you ingested lead diacetate.

If you pass a current through the solution of salt and water, opposites attract: the positive ions are attracted tot he negative pole and the negative ions go toward the positive pole. These migrations ions allow electricity to flow, which is why ‘salt’ solutions conduct electricity.

C1000: Experiments

Download Student Worksheet & Exercises

Here’s what’s going on in this experiment:

Our experiment uses a saturated solution of table salt that is just sitting in a container minding its own business. That just won’t do! We must intervene. Our 9V battery pushes its voltage through the saltwater. That electric current tears the sodium from the chlorine. These positively and negatively charged ions rush about, looking for something they are attracted to. Opposites attract, so positively charged sodium ions find spending time with the negative electrode a treat. They are very happy together. Negatively charged chlorine ions are attracted to the positive electrode. The match is wonderful, and the negativity and the positivity somehow enjoy the time spent with each other.

NaCl –> Na⁺ + Cl^–

Sodium chloride decomposes into sodium and chlorine ions

Cleanup: Clean everything thoroughly after you are finished with the lab. After cleaning with soap and water, rinse thoroughly. Chemists use the rule of “three” in cleaning glassware and tools. After washing, chemists rinse out all visible soap and then rinse three times more.

Storage: Place all chemicals, cleaned tools, and glassware in their respective storage places.

Disposal: Dispose of all solid waste in the garbage. Liquids can be washed down the drain with running water. Let the water run awhile to ensure that they have been diluted and sent downstream.

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