Is this dangerous?

Question

stripping the ends of extenion cords that are not putgged in to an outlet then putting the metal wire part in a pot of boiling water?
Its for an electricy experment.
(i will have eye and hand protection)

Answer 1

This is not a good idea.
You might generate hydrogen and oxygen alternately on one wire and the other at 60Hz or 50Hz. The sparking between the two wires might ignite the hydrogen, making a little explosion that will cause you to be mighty startled and drop the wires...

Answer 2

I have done this experiment with cool water (not boiling). Nothing much happens that you can't figure out on paper. It is an old experiment. Also, work with DC. AC gives different results. Are you working with tap water? You should know what is in the water. You might want to use distilled water instead. Also, what is the point of using boiling water? Other than an element of danger, what is the benefit. Any reaction will occur sufficiently fast without the water boiling. Are you going to try to collect possibly resulting gases? That could be tricky? Are you set up to handle any size-able quantity of a dangerous gas? Keep it small and simple. Do not blow yourself up. One last thing, be sure that the cord is NOT plugged in when you strip the wires.

Answer 3

Okay, running the electricity into the water will cause the water molecules to separate into hydrogen and oxygen... You won't need the water to be boiling it will look likwe it is.

First off, that is a BAD IDEA. If you want to do something like that, you need a power supply with it's own breaker. Plugging it into an outlet risks a fire and shorting out the building. The end should be in the water BEFORE you turn on the breaker and... and it's just not a real good idea.

Answer 4

This is dangerous.In the first place Alternating currant will blow the fuse when you plug it in and switch on.I am not sure where you are from.If you do not have an earth leakage system installed you run the risk of electrocuting yourself.When using Direct currant Two gasses are released both of which are highly explosive.You will need to set up the experiment in such a way as to prevent the gasses (Oxygen and Hydrogen) from coming into contact with anything that may ignite them.

Answer 5

As long as the fuses are working in your house properly, then there shouldn't be a problem. As soon as you plug it in, the fuse should blow. Of course if you are stripping the cord with it plugged in there is a great chance of electrocution.

Also, if you plug it in, and the fuse doesn't blow, then you may be electricuted just by touching the stove.

I don't see how this is an experiment. Are you serious? What are you trying to test?

Answer 6

Uh yes the pot is metal the element that the pot is sitting on on the stove is metal and GROUNDED should cause a big spark and at minimum a blown fuse/circuit breaker possibly a melted hole in the pot. DON"T do it.

Answer 7

as long as the extension cord is not plugged in!!!
DO NOT PLUG IT IN WHILE THE OTHER ENDS ARE IN THE H20!!!
umm. boiling water is always dangerous, be sure to wear goggles and gloves, a face shield wouldn't be bad idea either. (like a hockey mask). wear shoes in case stuff spills.
what kind of electricity expt. is this anyway???

Answer 8

As long as you don't plug the extension cord in, the only dangerous part will be the boiling water.


Doug

Answer 9

NO! It is NOT okay!!! Water and AC electricity are an invitation to disaster! Even with eye and hand protection you could still wind up turning yourself into a crispy critter.

Answer 10

If you do not plug in the wires then I think you can safely perform this experiment. If your looking to have a current, I would suggest getting a battery that has enough voltage to do what your looking for but not enought to kill ya.