How to Build a Converter From Water to Hydrogen

Water electrolysis is the process of separating water molecules into their component hydrogen and oxygen atoms. An electrical current is passed through the water and separates the hydrogen and oxygen atoms of the water molecules. Bubbles of hydrogen form on the negative electrode of the electrolysis machine, and bubbles of oxygen form on the positive electrode of the electrolysis machine. You can build a simple electrolysis machine for science experiments with supplies from a science supply store.

Things You'll Need

• Beaker
• 2 test tubes
• 2 insulated stainless steel electrodes
• 9 volt battery
• 9 volt battery cap
• 2 alligator clips
• Utility clamps

Instructions

1. Fill the beaker and the test tubes with water. Submerge the test tubes in the beaker and turn them upside down so that the opening faces the bottom of the beaker. Attach the test tubes to the side of the beaker with the utility clamps; do not let any air into the test tubes.

2. Position the electrodes beneath the openings of the test tubes. Attach the electrodes to the side of the beaker with the utility clamps.

3. Place the battery cap onto the 9 volt battery. Take the negative wire of the battery cap and use one of the alligator clips to attach it to an electrode. Attach the positive wire to the second electrode with the second alligator clip.

4. Watch the bubbles form on the electrodes. The bubbles that form on the electrode attached to the negative wire are hydrogen bubbles. As bubbles form, they will float up into the test tubes and become trapped.

Tips & Warnings

• The test tube above the negative electrode will fill twice as fast as the test tube above the positive electrode because there are twice as many hydrogen atoms in every water molecule.

• Disconnect the power supply from the battery before handling any of the components of your electrolysis machine to avoid getting shocked.

References

• Hyperphysics at Georgia State University: Electrolysis of Water
• Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation: Electrolysis of Water without a Hoffman Device