I've seen this done using electricity.
2006-07-11 11:08:15 · 11 answers · asked by REM 1 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Two electrodes are placed in water, usually with a bit of salt added to allow current to flow. Pure water is actually a good insulator. At the positive electrode oxygen will form and at the negative electrode hydrogen will form. The voltage needs to be above 1.6-2 volts
These can be collected by placing test tubes filled with water and inverted over the electrodes to captures the bubbles.
The usual tests for hydrogen can be performed with a lit splinter (the hydrogen will ignite with a pop) or a smouldering splinter for the oxygen (it will burst in to flame).
The previous replies about hydrogen being lighter than oxygen do not seem to understand mixing of gases and in fact the oxygen and hydrogen will simply be mixed up if collected in to a single vessel.
You will often see this performed in museum exhibits, where the cell is electrolysed and the resulting gasses then popped with a spark igniter such that the gases turn back to water and the cycle is then repeated..
2006-07-11 12:22:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get a glass bottle, fill it with salt water, then get a strong (12v) battery with copper wire. Sodder some iron or copper plates to the wire and place them a distance apart in the water. Tiny bubbles will form and float to the top of the water, this is hydrogen since it is lighter than air it will float to the top.
2006-07-11 11:19:59 · answer #2 · answered by johnjacob01 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do no longer artwork. right this is why. To seperate water into h2 and o2 you should first deliver an electric modern by using it. And yess the hyrdogen and oxygen will burn very reliable (the gap return and forth used liquid h2 and o2 to fly into orbit) however the capability you utilize to make the water seperate is particularly no longer decrease than the capability you get from burning the hydro and oxygen. So interior the top it would cost you greater anyhow. particularly in case you had to try this you would be greater powerful off employing the electrical powered energy to capability your vehicle as a replace of employing a 'midsection guy' alongside with splitting water into 2 components and recombinign them. i think of its the 2nd regulation of thermodynamics.
2016-12-14 06:53:11 · answer #3 · answered by anteby 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
See the article link below from Wikipedia. The article explains the process completely
2006-07-11 11:25:57 · answer #4 · answered by .*. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Zinc and aluminum do not react with water. That would make aluminum pans and galvanized pipe pretty much useless.
Use calcium metal. I have tried this. It always works.
2006-07-11 17:59:14 · answer #5 · answered by Mai Tai Mike 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
evaporate the oxygen molecules with the charge? Since hydrogen weighs less than oxygen, siphen the top layer of air. (i think) i'm curious myself.
2006-07-11 11:11:44 · answer #6 · answered by Lady Sardonyx 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
put zinc or aluminum into it and siphon off the gas created, it'll be pure hydrogen.
2006-07-11 14:08:02 · answer #7 · answered by The Frontrunner 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, you pass electricity through it
2006-07-11 11:11:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
try electrolysis with a little bit of acid.
2006-07-11 14:10:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
shock the crap out of it. It's called electrolysis.
2006-07-11 13:21:14 · answer #10 · answered by jsn77raider 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋