The Electrolysis of Sodium Chloride.

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The Electrolysis of Sodium Chloride

Electrolysis is a process by which electrical currents can be passed through solutions. Pure water is a non-conductor of electricity. But if a salt such as NaCl is dissolved in it, the solution will start conducting if two electrodes are placed in it along with a battery that provides the initial current.

Background Knowledge

When an electric current is passed through a chemical compound, some compounds are able to conduct electricity. The compound dissociates into ions under the influence of the electric current. The electrical current initiates a chemical reaction or a break up. The sodium chloride or brine is an electrolyte. An electrolyte is a compound that allows electric current to pass through itself, when either in a molten state or in an aqueous solution

Apparatus

* Aqueous sodium chloride (brine)

* Wires

* Crocodile clips

* Light Bulb

* Electrodes

* Test tubes x 3

* 12V battery pack

Method

We took two lead electrodes, a 12V battery pack, a bulb and some wires. We put the sodium chloride into a special beaker that contained the two lead