Purpose: Demonstrate the Electrolysis of diluted Sulfuric Acid.
Parts:
- Hofmann voltameter setup
- 16 V Power supply unit w/ leads
- Pre-mixed water and acid ( in a bottle next to the apparatus).
- lighter, stick, empty test tube
Theory:Electrolysis
Setup: Fill the glass tube with the electrolyte(here it is diluted sulfuric acid /acidified water).
Connect the positive and negative leads of the power supply to the base as shown in the picture.
Switch on the power, and you can see gas bubbles inside the tubes and will accumulate in the top.
Collect accumulated gas in to a test tube and test it for H2 and O2, exposing the lighted stick to the gas.
Overall equation for the electrolysis of water: 2H2O(l) ==> 2H2(g) + O2(g)
Accordingly you will see more H2 accumulated than O2. (see the attachment under theory, for more details)