How to Build a Hydrogen-Oxygen Generator
A hydrogen-oxygen generator can produce both hydrogen and oxygen through the process of electrolysis, which uses electricity to split water (H20) molecules into hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Electrolysis is not an economical method of producing hydrogen and oxygen on a commercial scale. However, electrolysis is frequently demonstrated on a small scale with common laboratory equipment.
Things You'll Need
- Water
- Sodium hydroxide
- 3 large beakers
- Hoffman voltameter
- 2 test tube holders
- 2 test tubes
- 2 rubber hoses
- 2 leads
- 9V battery
- 2 test tube stoppers
Instructions
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1
Mix four parts water to one part sodium hydroxide and stir thoroughly until the sodium hydroxide is completely dissolved. The sodium hydroxide will serve as an electrolyte to allow the water to conduct electricity.
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2
Pour the electrolytic solution from Step 1 into the central tube of a Hoffman voltameter. This device is a glass apparatus that consists of three vertical tubes that are open at the top. The tubes are connected at the bottom with a single horizontal tube. The vertical tubes on the end contain electrodes at the bottom that exit through the tubes.
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3
Put water in a beaker and fill a test tube completely full of water so that there are no air bubbles in it. Submerge the test tube under the water in the beaker and turn it upside down. Hold the test tube in place with a test tube holder and repeat this procedure with another beaker and test tube.
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4
Fill a section of rubber hose with water and place one end under the solution a side tube in the Hoffman voltameter. Place the other end of the hose into one of the upside down test tubes. Repeat this procedure with the other side tube in the Hoffman voltameter.
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5
Connect each electrode of the Hoffman voltameter to a battery lead. Oxygen bubbles will collect at the positively charged electrode and hydrogen will accumulate at the negatively charged electrode. These gases will flow through the hoses and displace the water in the test tubes. Once full, you can stopper the test tubes.
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