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y 14. Hofmann alternatives 2 and 3: Plastic Eppendorf pipettes and hypodermic needles
Eppendorf plastic pipettes can be pierced by hypodermic needles. Their plastic ends are closed by welding. So they are useful electrodes.
Photo 1 and 2: 3.5 mL measuring Eppendorfs are pierced at their lower ends, the smaller ones at their upper ones.
What you will need
Three 3.5 mL measuring Eppendorf plastic pipettes, one small Eppendorf, 6 hypodermic needles, 9-Volt battery, two connecting wires with crocodile clips, wellplate 6 (Zhou), sodium sulfate solution, solution for air bubbles. Matches.
Experiment
Set the electrolysis apparatus like shown in photos 1, 2, 3.
Photo 4: Lit the gas bubbles in the wellplate 6 like shown in photo.
Observations
1. Photo 1, 2 and 3: Gas bubbles at both electrodes. After 2 minutes the electrolyte is completely replaced by the gases formed in electrolysis.
2. Photo 1: Nach 2 Minuten ist der Elektrolyt vollständig von dem gebildeten Gas verdrängt. Es kann in Seifenlösung übertragen und entzündet werden.
3. Photo 2: Gas bubbles at both electrodes. Around the cathode the colour of the electrolyte changes to green, around the anode it turns red.
3. Photo 4: The gas bubbles explode.
Explanations: Red: 4 H2O(l)  + 4 e- --> 2 H2(g) + 4 OH-(aq)
..........................Ox:        2 H 2O(l)  --> O2(g) + 4 H+(aq) + 4 e -
                          Redox:     6 H 2O(l)  --> 2 H2 (g) +  O2 (g)  + 4 OH-(aq) + 4 H+(aq)


contact Hugerat........contact Zhou.,,.contact Schwarz.............back......first publication: 19.04.2003.....last modification: 02.03.2007