University of the Philippines

National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education

(UPNISMED)

Construction of an Improvised Electrolysis

Apparatus*

*This is one of the activities developed by UPNISMED as part of the Science and Mathematics Education Manpower Development Project

(SMEMDP).

What you will need glue ruler alcohol lamp/safety matches stripping knife dry cells (1.5 V) 2 paper clips (bulldog type) 3 disposable syringes (10

mL) 2 stainless steel screws # 6

(2 x 12) 2 connecting wires (red and

black) iron nail (about 6 cm) plastic bottle (1 L, 8 cm in

diameter or more ), preferably thick and hard

hard plastic straw or dextrose plastic tube (6 cm long)

What you will do

Remove each of the plungers from the two disposable 10 mL syringes.

Attach the two syringes at the base by heating it in an alcohol lamp.

What you will do

Insert each tip of the syringe inside a plastic straw.

Bend the straw to close it using a bulldog type paper clip.

“electrolysis syringes”

What you will do

Divide the plastic bottle into 3 portions by marking “cutting lines” around the bottle.

a

5 cm

6 cm

1

2

3

Use the following distance between cutting-line marks:

Bottom portion: about 5 cm from the bottom part of the bottle. This will serve as the sample container.

Middle portion: about 6 cm from the marked line of the bottom portion. This will serve as the electrolysis apparatus stand.

What you will doUsing pre-heated stripping knife, cut the bottle along the marking lines.

Use the middle portion of the bottle as a stand for the container.Make two small squares measuring 2 cm x 2 cm at opposite sides of the base.These will serve as

passageway for the connecting wires.

What you will doMeasure the distance between the centers of the “electrolysis syringes”.

Mark this length with a line on the bottom of the cup.

Using a hot GI wire/nail (2 mm in diameter), bore a small hole at each end of the line.

What you will doInsert the stainless screw through each hole by rotating it carefully until 1/4 of the nail is out at the bottom of the bottle.

Apply glue around the stainless screws at the bottom part of the container to prevent leaks.

Note: The glue should only be applied on the outside surface of the container.

What you will do

Support the sample container using the electrolysis apparatus stand.

Invert the “electrolysis syringes” over the stainless screws.

What you will doConnect the wires (red and black) to each stainless screw at the bottom of the container.

Connect the red wire to positive (+) terminal of the dry cell.

Connect the black wire to negative (-) terminal of the dry cell.

Congratulations! You have constructed an improvised electrolysis apparatus.

The complete set-up of an improvised electrolysis apparatus

sample container electrolysis

syringes

Connect red wire to positive (+) terminal of the dry cell.

Connect black wire to negative (-) terminal of the dry cell.

Attached to the stainless screw

Attached to the stainless screw

Reference: Philippines. National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development. (2001). Practical work in high school chemistry: Sourcebook for teachers. Quezon City: Author

Pia Campo Dennis Danipog Jacquie

Gutierrez

PowerPoint Development Team

Peer Reviewer

Dr. Amy Punzalan