Activity 5.3 electrolysis of water.

Aim : To study the composition of water through electrolysis Materials: Distilled water, dilute sulphuric acid, wooden splinter, matches Apparatus: Electrolysis set, 10 cm3 measuring cylinders, batteries, wires, crocodile clips Procedure: Figure 5.7 (page 7 text book) 1. Active: Set up the apparatus as shown in the diagram above. Passive: The apparatus as shown above is set up. 2. Active: Add few drops of dilute sulphuric acid to the distilled water. Passive: A few drops of dilute sulphuric acid is added into distilled water. 3. Active: Switch on the circuit and allow electricity to pass through for 15 minutes. Passive: The circuit switched on and the electricity is allowed to pass through for 15 minutes. 4. Active: Record the volume of gas that is collected in measuring cylinders X and Y in the table below. Passive: In the measuring cylinders X and Y the volume of gas collected is recorded in the table below. 5. Active: Allow electricity to pass through until both measuring cylinders are full of gas. Passive: The electricity is allowed to pass through until the both cylinders are full of gas.

6. Active: Test the gas in measuring cylinders X and Y with a glowing wooden splinter and a lighted wooden splinter respectively. Passive: Gas in measuring cylinders X and Y is tested with glowing wooden splinter and lighted wooden splinter respectively. 7. Active: Record your observations in the same table. Passive: Observation is recorded in the same table.

Observation: Measuring Cylinder X red Y black Volume of gas (cm3) 10 20 Test for gas Light up a glowing wooden splinter Produces a pop sound with a lighted wooden splinter

Analysis: 1. Name the electrodes a. X:______________________________ b. Y:______________________________ Discussion:

1. Name the gas collected in measuring cylinder X. 2. Name the gas collected in measuring cylinder Y. 3. What is the ratio of the volume of hydrogen to that of the oxygen collected? 4. From your answer in (3), what is the ratio of hydrogen to oxygen in one water molecule? 5. If the symbols for hydrogen and oxygen are respectively represented by H and O, write the symbols for one water molecule. 6. Why was the distilled water acidified with a little sulphuric acid in this activity? Conclusion: One molecule of water contains two parts of ____________ and one part of ____________.