Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

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Electrolysis in water

I am in Chem 110, in community college on my way to dental hygiene. I cannot seem to understand in electrolysis of water what is happening to the metal pins in my experiment. I have a cup with two iron pins, salt water and attached to a 9 volt battery. I then saw that I made hydrogen gas in a larger proportion than oxygen gas. But what other reaction could be occurring that prevents oxygen from being formed in the same amount? Is it rust being formed, or a reverse reaction. I don't think both gasses are going into the same tube as the negative pin produced the hydrogen gas. I get so confused, thank you for any help on this.

Susan Vasilakos
old student - Santa Barbara, California, USA
2004

Susan, the chemical formula for water is H2O. What is the basis for your expectation that as much oxygen should be generated as hydrogen?

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2004

The formula for water is H2O, so there are two hydrogen atoms to one oxygen. So, when you break water down, you will get twice the volume of hydrogen as you do oxygen.

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
2004

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