How Do You Make Hydrogen the Simple Way?

Simple method to make hydrogen from water(H2O).

A simple way to make hydrogen is by using electrolysis to separate the hydrogen and oxygen atoms within water and convert them to gases.

The chemical name for water is H2O, meaning there are two atoms of hydrogen for every one of oxygen, so it is a fairly straightforward process to separate the two by passing electrical currents through the water.

Things You'll Need

• 2 graphite pencils
• Craft knife
• Pencil sharpener
• 4 mini crocodile clips (optional)
• Electrical tape
• 2 pieces of electrical wire (12" to 18" long)
• Wire strippers or scissors
• 9V battery
• 100 ml beaker or jar
• Cardboard, cut to fit overthe top of the beaker/jar
• Rubber gloves
• Safety goggles

Instructions

1. 

   Remove eraser & metal from graphite pencils & sharpen both ends.

   Remove any erasers or metallic material from the pencils by cutting them off using a craft knife or scissors.

   Use a pencil sharpener to sharpen the graphite pencils at both ends.

   The graphite in the pencils will be connected to the 9V battery and act as electrodes in the process of splitting the hydrogen and oxygen components of the water.

2. 

   Electrical wire used as a conductor in the process of making hydrogen from water.

   Strip any insulating material from the electrical wires, using the wire strippers or scissors.

   Use mini crocodile clips to fix one end of each wire around the top of each of the sharpened graphite pencil electrodes. Alternatively, wrap the wire around one end of each of the sharpened graphite pencils, ensuring good contact between the metal wire and graphite; then use small pieces of electrical tape to fix the wire to the graphite.

   Connect the other ends of each of the wires to the 9V battery. Connect one wire to the positive terminal and the other wire to the negative terminal.

   Electric shocks can occur when handling batteries with wet hands; it is important at this stage to wear rubber gloves for protection.

3. 

   Use a beaker or jar filled with warm water.

   Fill the beaker or jar with warm water. Punch holes in the cardboard and push the sharp ends of the pencils through these holes and into the water. Ensure that the graphite pencil ends are not touching the glass base of the beaker or jar, as this will cause the experiment to fail.

   Fix the cardboard to the beaker with electrical wire to ensure it is safely in place.

   Evidence of the formation of gases will be observed immediately, as bubbles begin to appear on the submerged tips of the graphite pencils.

   The pencil that is wired to the negative terminal of the 9V battery will produce approximately double the amount of gas bubbles, and this will be hydrogen gas. The other graphite pencil electrode will produce oxygen.

4. 

   Test for the presence of hydrogen by using a lighted match.

   A simple test to confirm the presence of hydrogen is to hold a lighted spill or match to the gas at the surface of the water, which will explode with a popping noise.

Tips & Warnings

• Adding salt to the water in the beaker or jar will speed up the hydrogen gas creation process, but will also cause strong chlorine smells.

• Hydrogen gas produced during this experiment can be collected by submerging a test tube over the negative electrode.

• Rubber gloves are required for this experiment, particularly if gases are to be collected. Handling batteries with wet hands results in electrical shocks.

• Safety goggles are a necessity if the hydrogen is to be exploded using lighted spills or matches. In particular, be aware that hydrogen and oxygen is an extremely dangerous mix and can cause larger explosions as well.

References

• New Mexico Solar Energy Association: Electrolysis of Water
• Periodic Table: Homemade Hydrogen
• NASA Aquarius Mission Website: Electrolysis of Salt Water

Resources

• Chemistry 30 Resources: Redox Reactions & Electrochemistry