How to Make HHO
A water (HHO) molecule is composed of two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen. A hydrogen fuel cell produces an electrical current when it combines hydrogen and oxygen to form water as a byproduct. You can demonstrate this principle by making a rudimentary hydrogen fuel cell with platinum wire and some household items. This experiment also can show the complementary process of electrolysis, in which electricity is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Things You'll Need
- 1-ft platinum wire
- 9-volt battery
- 9-volt battery clip
- Glass
- Popsicle stick
- Tape
- Voltmeter
- Water
- Wire stripper
Instructions
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1
Cut the platinum wire into two six-inch pieces and wrap them around the test lead for the voltmeter. This will create two platinum electrodes that you will use later. Cut the two leads for the battery clip in half and strip the insulation from all four of the cut ends. Twist each pair of these cut ends together and connect one of these twisted pairs of bare wire to each of the platinum electrodes.
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2
Place the popsicle stick on top of a glass of water. Tape the popsicle stick securely to the glass and lay the platinum electrodes over the popsicle stick. Ensure the electrodes are completely submerged in the water and are not touching each other. Tape the leads holding the electrodes to the popsicle stick.
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3
Connect the positive terminal of the voltmeter to the free end of the lead from the positive terminal of the battery. Likewise, connect the negative terminal of the voltmeter to the free end of the lead from the negative terminal of the battery.
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4
Touch the 9-volt battery to the battery clip to power the circuit. You should only need to do this for a couple of seconds before bubbles form at the electrodes. Hydrogen gas collects at the positive electrode and oxygen collects at the negative electrode.
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5
Remove the battery and allow the hydrogen and oxygen gas to recombine back into water. Verify this process by observing a voltage on the voltmeter while the battery is disconnected.
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