Nigel Baldwin | Electrolysis of magnesium sulfate solution Part 2 DSCN0204 @nigelbaldwin3184 | Uploaded April 2018 | Updated October 2024, 4 minutes ago.
High School Chemistry
The electrolysis of magnesium sulfate solution on a small scale using carbon fibre electrodes.
The electrolysis of dilute magnesium solution yields colourless gases at both electrodes.
The gases can be collected.
In this second video clip the product gas collected over the cathode is tested with a lit splint (burning splint or 'pop' test).
A small explosion is produced as the gas burns confirming the production of hydrogen at the cathode during electrolysis.
Too little gas is collected over the anode to allow it to be tested, however it is suspected to be oxygen and were we to have enough it could be tested with a glowing splint.
Some degradation of the anode occurred during the electrolysis, as can be seen by the brown - yellow coloration of the electrolyte in this video clip.
Requirements:
0.1M solution of magnesium sulfate
carbon fibre electrodes
small glass sample tubes, approx. 20ml capacity, (alternatively small test-tubes could be used)
small crystallising basin
wooden splints
12v d.c. power pack
crocodile clips
electrical leads
Other dilute solutions may be electrolysed using this simple set-up, but gloves will need to be worn and caution exercised depending on the nature of the electrolysis products.
High School Chemistry
The electrolysis of magnesium sulfate solution on a small scale using carbon fibre electrodes.
The electrolysis of dilute magnesium solution yields colourless gases at both electrodes.
The gases can be collected.
In this second video clip the product gas collected over the cathode is tested with a lit splint (burning splint or 'pop' test).
A small explosion is produced as the gas burns confirming the production of hydrogen at the cathode during electrolysis.
Too little gas is collected over the anode to allow it to be tested, however it is suspected to be oxygen and were we to have enough it could be tested with a glowing splint.
Some degradation of the anode occurred during the electrolysis, as can be seen by the brown - yellow coloration of the electrolyte in this video clip.
Requirements:
0.1M solution of magnesium sulfate
carbon fibre electrodes
small glass sample tubes, approx. 20ml capacity, (alternatively small test-tubes could be used)
small crystallising basin
wooden splints
12v d.c. power pack
crocodile clips
electrical leads
Other dilute solutions may be electrolysed using this simple set-up, but gloves will need to be worn and caution exercised depending on the nature of the electrolysis products.
