Jahid - Livernois - Zabel 1

Introduction

The use of fossil fuels and substances using greenhouse gases are detrimental to the

environment, but the production of hydrogen gas through electrolysis of water is a renewable

alternative that costs less and does not cause pollution. This experiment was designed to

determine the effects of varying concentrations of sodium chloride, NaCl (0.0228M, 0.0342M,

0.0456M) and different voltages (3V, 4.5V, 6V) on the electrolysis of water. The effect was

measured by calculating the rate at which hydrogen gas was produced. Hydrogen gas can be used

as a renewable resource and is very essential to the chemical industry. Hydrogen gas is used to

create ammonia (NH3) for agricultural fertilizer, cyclohexane (C6H12), and methanol (CH3OH),

which are intermediates in the production of plastics and pharmaceuticals. This gas is also used

to remove sulfur from fuels during the oil-refining process. A major use of hydrogen is as an

automotive fuel. Crude oil is a very important natural resource that is required for this industry to

thrive, but unlike hydrogen gas, it is nonrenewable. Effective hydrogen production can help

increase the amount of hydrogen produced for others to be able to use as a renewable resource.

As stated previously, this experiment was designed to test the effects of concentration

and voltage on the rate of hydrogen gas production. The hypothesis stated that the most

concentrated NaCl solution, 0.0456 M, and the highest voltage, 6 V, would produce hydrogen

gas at the greatest rate. A two factor design of experiment (DOE) was used to calculate the

effects of the variables. This DOE was used to determine if the variables had a significant effect

on the outcome of the results and if there was a potential reaction between the two variables. An

electric current was applied for electrolysis to occur and the time that the hydrogen gas reached

the mark on the tube was recorded. The production of hydrogen gas at a faster rate can help

justify its use as a reliable energy source.

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Review of Literature

The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effects of different concentration of

sodium chloride, NaCl, and direct current voltage on the electrolysis of water. The amount of gas

that was produced from the breakdown of water into hydrogen and oxygen was used to

determine the best electrically conducting solution. Sodium chloride, NaCl is a strong electrolyte

which means it ionizes completely in solution. It was needed to increase the rate of the chemical

reaction. The variables in the experiment were electric potential differences (3V, 4.5V, 6V) and

three different concentrations of NaCl (0.0228M, 0.0342M, 0.0456M).

Figure 1. Water Molecule

(“The Chemistry of Water”).

In order to understand the experiment, readers must know the chemical composition of

water. The chemical formula for water is H2O, which is two hydrogen atoms bonded with one

oxygen atom to form one molecule of water. Water is a polar solvent because the overall

negative electric charge of the oxygen atom and the overall positive electric charge of the two

hydrogen atoms (“The Chemistry of Water”). This allows water to interact with other polar

molecules and ions like Na+ and Cl- ions. Pure water has a high resistance and a low

conductivity, so it needs an electrolyte to provide charged particles to move electric current.

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Figure 2. Types of Electrolytes

("Aqueous Solutions")

Electrolytes are chemical compounds that conduct electricity by ionizing when melted or

dissolved into a solution. There are weak electrolytes, nonelectrolytes, and strong electrolytes,

shown in Figure 2. Nonelectrolytes do not conduct electricity because the molecules do not

ionize. Weak electrolytes are poor conductors of electricity because the solution contains some

molecules and some ions. Electricity can travel through the ions, however, with molecules also

in solution, it becomes harder for an electrical current to connect to other ions. Weak electrolytes

are weak acids that partially ionize. They are covalent compounds. Strong electrolytes are ionic

compounds or strong acids or bases that ionize completely. Because strong electrolytes ionize

completely, there are all ions in solution, and it is very easy for an electrical current to travel

through the solution. Sodium chloride is a soluble ionic chemical compound and a strong

electrolyte, which means it is a good conductor of electricity.

Figure 3. Ionization of NaCl

("Water’s Solvent Properties")

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Ionization occurs when substances ionize in water and forms positively charged cations

and negatively charged anions. When NaCl ionizes in water, it dissociates into Na+ and Cl- ions.

Interactions between the negative poles of water attract positive charges, and the positive poles

of water attract negative charges. The positive and negative interactions result in what is called a

hydration shell. The hydration shell is a three dimensional sphere of water molecules that forms

around the solute and allows the solute to disperse evenly in the solvent. As seen in figure 2, the

Na+ ions become surrounded by the partial negative charges from the oxygen poles of the water

molecules. The Cl- ions become surrounded by the partial positive charges from the hydrogen

poles of water molecules. (“Solvent Properties of Water”).

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2H2O (l) + NaCl → 2H2 (g) + O2 (g) + Na+ + Cl-

+1 -2 0 0

Figure 4. Redox Reaction of H20

The equation of figure 4 describes the oxidation-reduction reaction of electrolysis of

water where reduction of hydrogen occurs at the negative electrode and the oxidation of oxygen

occurs at the positive electrode. Reduction is the gaining of electrons and oxidation is the loss of

electrons. Hydrogen goes from an oxidation number of +1 to 0 and each hydrogen atom gains

one electron. Oxygen goes from an oxidation number of –2 to 0 with each oxygen atom losing

two electrons. For every mole of oxygen gas produced, two moles of hydrogen gas are produced.

The ionic compound of NaCl is shown on the reactants side and as two separate ions on the

products side. The system where electrolysis takes place is called an electrolytic cell. In an

electrolytic cell, the anode is the positive electrode and the cathode is the negative electrode

because electrons are gained at the cathode (Mimms III).Through electrolysis of water, hydrogen

gas is produced at the cathode and oxygen gas is produced at the anode. When electric current is

introduced to water through the electrodes, anions, like Cl-, are attracted to the positive terminal

of the applied voltage, the anode. This is in the same direction as electron flow. When positive

ions, like Na+, move, the current is in the opposite direction, toward the negative terminal of an

applied voltage, the cathode (Grob).

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Figure 4. Battery Diagram

(Woodford)

In electrolysis, an external power source supplies the free energy that is necessary for the

electrolyte to conduct electricity. The electric potential difference in the source is known as

voltage. There will be three different voltages used as variables in this experiment (3V, 4.5V,

6V). The process that occurs in external power sources, like batteries, is the opposite of

electrolysis. A battery consists of three parts: an anode, a cathode, and its own electrolyte (figure

4). In a battery, the anode is the negative electrode and the cathode is the positive electrode

(MIT). The electrolyte separates the two electrodes. The electrolyte is an insulator which means

that electrical current cannot flow through it because of its high resistance. The battery’s

electrolyte goes through chemical reactions where cations and anions are produced. When a

circuit is closed, electrical current is able to flow from the anode to the cathode (Woodford).

Negatively charged anions flow through the circuit in a positive direction because the electrons

are attracted to the positive cathode. When a greater voltage is applied to the system, this transfer

of electrons occurs at a faster rate.

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Figure 5. The Circuit

(“Electrolyte Challenge: Orange Juice Vs. Sports Drink”)

A study that was done by researchers at a non-profit organization called ScienceBuddies

created an experiment where the electrolytes in gatorade were compared to the electrolytes in

orange juice. Here they used a procedure where they calculated the electricity produced using a

multimeter. They had a 5 cm straw that was surrounded by copper wire on each side. This part

would stay in a bowl of water and be submerged all the way to the bottom. Both of the wires

connect to alligator clips where one would be connected to the multimeter and the other to a

battery. That wire connected to the battery would then have another alligator clip to the

multimeter ("Electrolyte Challenge: Orange Juice Vs. Sports Drink"). This will then give the

results of which drink produces more electrolytes than the other.

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Figure 6. Setup of Fastest Gas Produced

(“Science Fair Projects - Electrolysis”)

A similar experiment that was conducted on the website All Science Fair Projects used

different voltages as a variable to compare the amount of hydrogen gas produced. The creators of

this experiment had a similar setup to the previous, but the time it took to produce the gases was

the dependent variable instead of the electric current. The researchers marked a line on the test

tube. Once the voltage was connected, the researchers timed the gases (hydrogen and oxygen)

and recorded how many seconds it took for the gas to fill to the lines (“All Science Fair

Projects”). In this research experiment, most of the procedures will be similar to the All Science

Fair Projects experiment. The variables of voltage and concentration of NaCl will be the same

and the data collected will be the time that it took for the gas to reach marked lines on the test

tubes. However, a DC power supply will be used instead of a battery.

These experiments from ScienceBuddies and All Science Fair Projects have similar

procedures and purposes. Both sources compared electrolytes, used different amounts of voltage

as a variable, and had similar setups. Aspects were taken from both experiments to design this

research experiment. Such as testing to see which variables will help the gas of the solution to
 Jahid - Livernois - Zabel 10

reach the line in the least amount of time, using a similar design set up to the All Science Fair

Projects experiment. Due to this, the data collected in this experiment will expand on previously

collected data and give further insight to electrolysis of water.

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Problem Statement

Problem:

Hydrogen gas can be used to fuel cars, to react and form ammonia, to purify metals, and

to detect leaks in packaging containers for the food and packaging industries. If hydrogen gas

can be produced in less time by altering the concentration of an electrolyte and the voltage that

electrolysis of water occurs, it can be used more efficiently in these processes. The purpose of

this experiment will be to determine a more efficient way to produce hydrogen gas.

Hypothesis:

It was predicted that the solution with the largest molarity of NaCl (0.0456 M) and the

largest applied voltage (6V) will produce hydrogen and oxygen gas (measured in time (s) it takes

to reach a certain point in the test tube), through the process of electrolysis, in the least amount of

time.

Data Measured:

The data measured in this experiment is the amount of time (s) that it will take for the gas

produced to reach the marked line on the test tube. A two factor Design of Experiment (DOE)

will be used to calculate the effects of the molarity of NaCl and the amounts of voltage (V)

applied, and calculate the interaction effects. The independent variables are the concentration of

NaCl and the amount of voltage applied. The molarities are 0.0228 M for the low, 0.0342 M for

the standard, and 0.0456 M for the high. The voltages are 3V for the low, 4.5V for the standard,

and 6V for the high. .

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Experimental Design

Materials:

Extech Digital DC Power Supply (42) #00 corks

1586.88 g, 0.0228 M, Sodium Chloride, NaCl, (42) 3.81 cm T-pin
3750.48 g, 0.0342 M, Sodium Chloride, NaCl, (42) 12 cm solid/ 22 gauge copper
wires 3173.76 g, 0.0456 M, Sodium Chloride, NaCl, Black permanent marker
Dual tube Stopwatch
TI-Nspire Calculator Randomize Function (21) 200 mL cup
Scale (0.0001g precision) Stirring rod
100 ml Graduated Cylinder Scotch Tape
Ruler

Procedures:

1. Randomly assign each of the trials, that are not standards, numbers (1-4). A standard trial
will be conducted first, in the middle, and last. Use the random integer function on the
calculator to determine the order of each non-standard trial. These trials can be seen in
Table 1.
2. Prepare electrodes (see Appendix A).

3. Place one of the prepared electrodes in one side of the dual tube and the other prepared
electrode in the other side of the dual tube as shown in Figure 3.
4. Using the permanent marker, draw a circumference line around the center of each tube
(4.5 cm). See Figure 3.
5. Add 150 mL of water to the cup and then the necessary volume of NaCl according to the
trial. See Table 1 for the trial’s NaCl concentration. Stir until the salt dissolves in
water (See Appendix B for total mass and volume calculations of the solution).
6. Place the dual tube upside down in the beaker so that the corks do not touch the solution.
Use the scotch tape to balance out the dual tube.

7. Connect the exposed copper wire to the DC power supply as shown in Figure 2.

8. Set the DC power supply to the voltage according to the trial that was randomly chosen
(Table 1).
9. Turn on the power supply and immediately start timing the gas with the stopwatch.

10. Record the time that it takes for the hydrogen gas to reach the line on the tube.

11. Repeat steps 5-11 six times, until all of the trials have been conducted.
12. After all of the trials have been conducted, complete three more DOEs. Randomize the
 Jahid - Livernois - Zabel 13

non-standard trials and repeat steps 5-11 until all of the trials have been conducted.
Table 1
Trials and Variables
Trial Molarity Voltage

S 0.0342 4.5

++ 0.0456 6

+- 0.0456 3

S 0.0342 4.5

-+ 0.0228 6

-- 0.0228 3

S 0.0342 4.5

Table 1, above, shows the NaCl concentration and voltage for each trial.

Diagrams:

Figure 7. Materials
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Figure 7, above, shows all the materials used in the experiment. The TI-Nspire calculator

and the stopwatch are not pictured.

Figure 8. The Experimental Setup

Figure 8 shows the design setup of the experiment. It is shown how the alligator clips

were connected to the electrode design with the tape holding it in place.

Data and Observations

Table 1
Concentration and Voltage Values
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Concentration (M) Voltage (V)

- Standard + - Standard +

0.0228 0.0342 0.0456 3 4.5 6

Table 1, above, shows the values of the DOE variables, so that it is easier to understand

the experiment’s results. The concentrations of NaCl were chosen by examining previous

experiments and increasing the amount to fit the needs of the materials. The voltage was also

found by comparing previous experiments.

Table 2
Time of Hydrogen Gas Reaching Electrolysis Line
DOE 1 DOE 2 DOE 3
Time Time Time
Order Runs Order Runs Order Runs AVG
(s) (s) (s)
1 Standard 273 1 Standard 266 1 Standard 274 271

5 ++ 94 5 ++ 67 6 ++ 73 78

6 -- 285 3 -- 291 3 -- 288 288

4 Standard 282 4 Standard 259 4 Standard 270 270

2 +- 165 2 +- 167 5 +- 159 164

3 -+ 136 6 -+ 109 2 -+ 123 123

7 Standard 291 7 Standard 248 7 Stand 262 267

Table 2, above, shows the results of all of the trials (21 total trials). There were three

DOE’s conducted in this experiment to decrease variability. The rightmost column of the table

shows the averages for each of the trial types. The time was found by using the stopwatch, and

looking at the experiment to determine when the hydrogen gas (bubbles) reached the line. It can

be seen that the trial with the largest concentration of NaCl and the highest voltage (++) took the
 Jahid - Livernois - Zabel 16

least amount of time, and the trial with the smallest concentration of NaCl and the lowest

voltage (--) took the most amount of time.

Table 3
Trial Observations for DOE 1
DOE 1

Trail Observation
Standard 0.2989 g, started to bubble immediately

2 0.4010 g, started bubbling immediately, lots of bubbling

3 0.2013 g, bubbling immediately

Standard 0.2996 g, started to bubble after 30 seconds, would not stand straight, bubbled a
lot near end of trial
5 0.3892 g, bubbles start to form after about a minute, shorter copper wire in one
side
6 0.2057 g, slow start, couple bubbles starting at 2:50

Standard 0.3088 g, started bubbling quickly

Table 3, above, describes the observations for the data collected during DOE 1. It shows

the mass of the NaCl that was added to the water for the necessary concentrations. Specific

observations and details of what happened during the trials were also recorded. Trial 5 was

observed to have a shorter copper wire. The wire was not 12 cm like it should have been because

it was cut too short, so it did not reach the bottom of the dual tube. In comparison to the other

trials, the mass of trial 5 was also less. The NaCl mass for the high concentration trials was 0.400

g, but the mass of trial 5 differed by 0.0118 g. It should also be noted that trial 6 (DOE 1) took a

longer time to start bubbling.

Table 4
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Trial Observations for DOE 2

DOE 2

Trail Observation
Standard 0.2970 g, rapidly started bubbling

2 0.4061 g, slowly started bubbling, more rapidly at 2:20

3 0.2036 g, bubbled immediately, then slowly bubbled

Standard 0.3052 g, rapidly started to form bubbles

5 0.4009 g, rapidly bubbled

6 0.2052 g, bubbled immediately

Standard 0.3051 g, slowly started to bubble

Table 4, above, describes the trial observations for the second DOE. It shows that the

second trial took a lot longer to start bubbling compared to the other trials.

Table 5
Trial Observations for DOE 3
DOE 3

Trail Observation
Standard 0.2990 g, started bubbling quickly, then slowly after 1:00

2 0.2071 g, slowly started bubbling, copper wire loose on one side (See figure 1)

3 0.2095 g, started bubbling quickly

Standard 0.3064 g, started slowly bubbling after about 45 seconds

5 0.4012 g, nothing happened for about a minute, reused tube

6 0.4008 g, rapidly started to bubble, reused tube

Standard 0.3040 g, slowly started bubbling, large bubbles, reused tube

Table 5, above, shows the trial observations for the third DOE. The results in these trials

were similar to the previous DOE trials.

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Diagrams:

Figure 9. Dual Tube

Figure 9, above, shows the electrode used for the experiment (DOE 3, trial 2). The

copper wire on the left side of the tube was wrapped tightly around the t-pin, but the wire was

loose and more spread out on the right side. This could have affected the results.
 Jahid - Livernois - Zabel 19

Data Analysis and Interpretation

The electrolysis of water is the decomposition of water into oxygen and hydrogen gas due

to an electrical current and an electrolyte. This experiment tested the effects of NaCl

concentration and voltage on how fast the hydrogen gas was produced. Once it reached a line on

the test tube, the time was recorded. In the experiment, continuous and quantitative data was

collected. Quantitative data is recorded in numbers, which in this case was the time it took for

the hydrogen gas to reach the line that was drawn on the electrolysis tube. The data collected was

reliable because the non-standard trials were randomized before the experiment began with the

TI-Nspire randomize function, using the expression randint (1,4). The standards were trials 1, 4,

and 7. This helps reduce bias by controlling lurking variables. The standards had very low

variability, meaning the standards gave consistent results. There were 3 DOEs (21 trials)

replicated to provide a large sample size of trials for consistent data. This repetition helps ensure

consistency throughout the data. A DOE was used in this experiment to compare the effects of

concentration of NaCl and voltage on the process of electrolysis. different variables and

observing which one gives a big difference and a more efficient way to produce hydrogen.

Table 6
Concentration and Voltage Variables
Concentration (M) Voltage (V)

- Standard + - Standard +

0.0228 0.0342 0.0456 3 4.5 6

Table 6, above, shows the variables and the standard specifications of what they are. The

concentrations were determined by the previous research and increased to fit the size of the

materials. The values for voltage were chosen by examining previous experiments.

Table 7
 Jahid - Livernois - Zabel 20

Averages of all Trials

Runs
First Second Third Grand
Average
Concentration Voltage DOE DOE DOE Average

+ + 94.00 67.00 73.00 78.00

- + 136.00 109.00 123.00 122.67

163.08
+ - 165.00 167.00 159.00 163.67

- - 285.00 291.00 288.00 288.00

Table 7, above, shows the averages as well as the grand average which is 163.08 seconds.

The grand average was found by adding

all the variable averages and

dividing by four.

Table 8
Effect of Concentration
Concentration (M)
(-) 0.0228 (+) 0.0456
122.67 78.00

288.00 163.67
Avg=205.33 Avg=120.83
Figure 10.
Effect of Concentration

Table 8 indicates the data values that were used to calculate the high and low average

electrolysis times for the effect of concentration. Figure 10 represents the average amount of

time that it took for the hydrogen to reach the line on the dual tube for the low concentration

trials (-1) and the high concentration trials (1). On average, as the amount of concentration

increases, the time decreases by 84.5 seconds (Appendix C).

 Jahid - Livernois - Zabel 21

Table 9
Effect of Voltage
Voltage (V)
(-) 3 (+) 6

163.67 78.00

288.00 122.67
Avg=225.83 Avg=100.33

Figure 11. Effect of Voltage

Table 9 and Figure 11 show the average times of the trials with high and low voltage.

The slope of Figure 2 represents the difference between the average amount of time that it took

for the hydrogen to reach the line on the dual tube for the low voltage trials (-1) and high voltage

trials (1). On average, as the amount of voltage increases, the time decreases by 125.5 seconds

(Appendix C).

Table 10
Interaction Effect of Concentration and Voltage
Voltage

(-) 3V (+) 6V

Solid (+)
Segment 0.0456
163.66 78.00
Concentration
Dotted (-)
Segment 0.0228 288.00 122.66

Figure 12. Effect of Concentration and Voltage

 Jahid - Livernois - Zabel 22

The interaction between concentration and voltage is 39.836 (Appendix C).The high

values of concentration are represented by the solid line, and the low values of concentration are

represented by the dashed line. The slope of the solid line is the difference between the (+, -) trial

and the (+, +) trial. In other words, it shows the effect of voltage when the concentration was

high (0.0456 M). The slope of the dashed line is the difference between the (-, -) trial and the (-,

+) trial. This line represents the effect of voltage when the concentration was low (0.0228 M).

There does not appear to be an interaction between the variables because the slope of the lines

are similar and they do not intersect.

Figure 13. Scatter Plot

Figure 13, above, shows all the standards in a scatter plot separated with different trials.

This graph of standards visually describes the low variability because there was not much of a

difference between the standards in the data collection. These standards function as the control

measure for all of the variables to be compared to.

 Jahid - Livernois - Zabel 23

Figure 14. Dot Plot of Effects

Figure 15, above, shows all of the variables in a dot plot. The straight line represents

twice the range of standards, which is 86 seconds (Appendix C). This means that if any data was

larger than 86 or smaller than -86, then the data is significant because it is not inside of this

range.

This test is conducted to determine which effects are statistically significant. Statistically

significant means that the result did not happen by chance alone. Anything outside of the bars is

statistically significant. Voltage is the only significant effect since it is outside the bars.

Figure 15. Prediction Equation

Figure 15, above, shows the prediction equation that is used to predict the result of

different variables. The first number is the grand average (GA), that was found by adding the

averages four different trial types together and dividing it by 4. This results in a grand average of

163.08 seconds. The grand average is then added to half of each effect value and multiplied by
 Jahid - Livernois - Zabel 24

the variable. Noise is everything that the researchers cannot control, such as human error or

technology error. Noise is not quantifiable, but it will always be a variable.

Figure 16. Parsimonious Prediction Equation

Figure 16, above, shows the parsimonious prediction equation, which is like the

prediction equation, but the parsimonious only includes effects that were significant. In this case,

only the effect of voltage was significant, so that is the only effect value in the equation. The

prediction equation is used to predict the results of this experiment if it was run again. Notice

that noise is also included in the parsimonious equation to represent lurking variables.

Interpretation:

In this experiment, the only significant effect was the voltage which was -125.5. This is

important because it was much more significant than the concentration. Voltage affected the

experiment in a way that could not have happened by chance alone. When comparing the two

variables there was a similar downward slope, but they do not intersect. This means that there

does not appear to be an interaction between the variables and the interaction effect was not

significant.
 Jahid - Livernois - Zabel 25

Conclusion

The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effects of sodium chloride (NaCl)

concentration and voltage on the production of hydrogen gas through electrolysis of water. The

data collected was the time that it took for the hydrogen gas to reach a specific mark on the

reaction vessel . A two factor design of experiment (DOE) was used to analyze the data by

interpreting effect and interaction graphs between the variables to determine the significant

effects. The hypothesis, that stated the most concentrated solution and highest voltage would

produce hydrogen gas in the shortest amount of time, was accepted.

The results from the electrolysis of water experiment proved the hypothesis. The most

concentrated solution with the largest applied voltage had an average hydrogen production time

of 78 seconds. This trial had a 0.0456 molarity and 6 volts of energy. The other trial averages

were greater than 120 seconds. The next fastest time was the trial with the least concentration

and the largest applied voltage. This trial produced an average time of 123 seconds. This data

supports the test of significance because voltage was discovered to be a significant effect in the

experiment. The range of standards was 43 seconds, so the boundaries of the dot plot were ± 86.

The effect of voltage was significant because the effect value was outside the boundaries, at -

125.5. This means that voltage had a large influence on this experiment and these results did not

happen by chance alone. Voltage was found to significantly increase the rate at which the

electrolysis of water occurs.

Voltage was used as a variable in this experiment because electron transfer does not

occur spontaneously. In order for the oxidation-reduction reaction to occur, a power source has

to supply the electric current. In this experiment, a DC power supply was used to alter the

voltage that was applied to the electrodes. When a greater voltage was applied to the system, the
 Jahid - Livernois - Zabel 26

transfer of electrons occured at a faster rate. The electric current determined the rate at which

electric charge was delivered to the system. As the current increased, more molecules

electrolyzed and more products formed per unit of time. Through this transfer of electrons, the

cathode gained electrons (reduction) and produced hydrogen gas. In other words, the product,

hydrogen gas, was produced more quickly when a greater amount of voltage was applied to the

system because the rate at which the reaction occurred increased in a direct relationship with the

increase in voltage.

The other variable that the experiment tested was the concentration of NaCl. NaCl was

added as the solute to increase the rate of the chemical reaction, which means that a larger

quantity of NaCl would give a faster reaction than a smaller quantity of NaCl. This is because

NaCl is a strong electrolyte that ionizes completely in water. The ionization of NaCl molecules

into Na+ cations ions and Cl- anions allow an electric current to be conducted through the water

because the Na+ ions bond to the negative oxygen poles of water molecules and Cl- ions bond to

the positive hydrogen poles of water molecules. The solution with the highest concentration of

NaCl had the best conductivity because there were more ions to bond with the water molecules,

making it easier to transmit the electrical current through the solution.

The time of electrolysis decreased by 84.5 seconds as the concentration increased from

the low molarity, 0.0228 to the high molarity 0.0456, value M of NaCl. This factor was

insignificant because it remained inside the ±86fences. Although the effect of NaCl

concentration (-84.5) was very close to the fences, the effect value is still considered

insignificant because it is inside of this range.

The experiment agrees with previous experiments that were mentioned in the review of

literature. In the review of literature, there were other experiments that had similar designs and
 Jahid - Livernois - Zabel 27

ideas to the one here. The design in this experiment was based off of the one on the website All

Science Fair Projects. The changes made in this experiment caused a much faster rate in which

the reactions occurred, since more of it was used. The results in the All Science Fair Projects

experiment were very long amounts of time in comparison to the data collected here, up to 14

minutes while in this experiment the times were no more than 5 minutes. But both experiments

tested one thing, which was the time of hydrogen gas to reach the line and explain how it occurs.

The results of both experiments were very similar because both concluded that increasing the DC

voltage resulted in a faster release of hydrogen gas. The experiment from All Science Fair

Projects also concluded that the increase in the concentration of the electrolyte salt did not

significantly increase the rate of production of hydrogen gas.

Issues and flaws that could have affected the experiment should be addressed so further

research does not have mistakes. One problem was that there was not enough materials were

collected, so some of the tubes were reused to collect a sufficient amount of data (table 5 of Data

and Observations). Another mistake was when recording time, the researcher might have pressed

start or stop a couple seconds late, which is a different number than the actual result. There needs

to be someone who can look at the time and someone that can immediately tell the researcher to

press the time. The tube that was set into the water may have been tilted at an angle that could

have resulted in the electrolysis to take more time since it was not straight like other trials. To

resolve this problem, make sure the use of tape to securely keep the tube straight aligned with the

cup.

This research could be expanded by changing the experimental values and running more

trials. Future research may include changing the type of electrolyte used and using voltage as a

constant. Alternatively, weak electrolytes can be tested against strong electrolytes to see the
 Jahid - Livernois - Zabel 28

difference in how fast the hydrogen gas is produced. Also, the amount of gas produced can be

measured instead of the time it takes for the gas to reach a certain point. Finally, this experiment

can be replicated to further validate the results found. This experiment can help support the use

of electrolysis for the production of hydrogen gas as a source of renewable energy. This research

could be expanded to aid the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s need for

more efficient means of hydrogen production.

Acknowledgments

The researchers would like to acknowledge Mrs. Hilliard for supplying most of the

materials and assisting with the experimental design. The researchers would also like to thank
 Jahid - Livernois - Zabel 29

Mrs. Dewey for helping with the math behind the DOE and Mr. Supal for editing the paper and

making suggestions.

The parents of the researchers should also be acknowledged for providing materials and

making suggestions throughout the research process. Their assistance and support was

appreciated.
 Jahid - Livernois - Zabel 30

Appendix A

Materials:

Dual tube
(2) 12 cm solid/22 gauge copper wires
(2) #00 corks
(2) 3.81 cm T-pins

Procedures:

1. Insert a T-pin through each cork so that the pin’s point barely exists at the other end of
the cork to create a small hole for the copper wire. Note: Doing this will help reduce the
chances of the hole being too big, thereby causing leakage of the liquid or gas.
2. Remove the T-pin from the corks.

3. Insert a copper wire electrode through each cork so that at the wider end of the cork about
4 cm of the wire protrudes.
4. Insert a T-pin through the wider end of the cork just enough, so that the pin’s point barely
exists at the other end (narrower end/electrode end).
5. Wrap the shorter 4 cm protruding side of the wire around the T-pin, but do not solder
the wire to the T-pin, only wrap it.
6. Lightly tug the wires at the electrode ends to tighten the connection between the wires
and the T-pins.

Diagram:
 Jahid - Livernois - Zabel 31

Figure 3. The Dual Tube Setup

Figure 3, above, shows the dual tube design that sets in the water. This is where the

hydrogen and oxygen gas goes through. The picture also shows the line where the hydrogen was

stopped for time when reached the line.

 Jahid - Livernois - Zabel 32

Appendix B

Figure 1. Total Mass and Volume Needed for 0.0228 M NaCl

For the low concentration of NaCl (0.0228 M) the experiment will need 1586.88 g of

NaCl and 1200 mL of water for four 2-factor DOE’s.

Figure 2. Total Mass and Volume Needed for 0.0342 M NaCl

For the standard concentration of NaCl (0.0342 M) the experiment will need 3750.48 g

of NaCl and 1800 mL of water for four 2-factor DOE’s.

Figure 3. Total Mass and Volume Needed for 0.0456 M NaCl

For the high concentration of NaCl (0.0456 M) the experiment will need 3173.76 g of

NaCl and 1200 mL of water for four 2-factor DOE’s.

 Jahid - Livernois - Zabel 33

Appendix C

This appendix shows the equations and calculations for the effect values and range of

standards. The effects of concentration, voltage, and the interaction effect are all included.

Figure 8. Effect of Concentration Calculation

Figure 8, above shows that on average, as the amount of concentration increases, the time

decreases by 84.5 seconds.

Figure 9. Effect of Voltage Calculation

Figure 9, above, shows that on average, as the amount of concentration increases, the

time decreases by 125.5 seconds.

Figure 10. Range of Standards Calculation

Figure 10, above, is how the range of standards was found. The range of standards is the

maximum – the minimum standard. The range of standards was multiplied by two to create

boundaries for significant factors in the dot plot.

 Jahid - Livernois - Zabel 34

Figure 11. Interaction Effect Calculation

Figure 11, above, shows the interaction effect between the two variables which is 39.836

seconds.
 Jahid - Livernois - Zabel 35

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