Electrochemistry Demonstrations
See also: Oxidation and Reduction
Electrochemistry is the study of how electrical energy and chemical change are connected. This category examines processes where electricity drives reactions or is produced by them. Electrochemistry provides important links between science and technology, from understanding batteries to explaining the principles of electrolysis.
| Demonstration | Materials | Difficulty | Safety | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potato / Lemon Battery | ★★☆ | ★☆☆ | ★☆☆ | By inserting copper and zinc electrodes into a potato, you can create a simple battery. |
| The Daniell Cell | ★★☆ | ★☆☆ | ★☆☆ | This demonstration shows how a Daniell cell generates electricity from chemical reactions between zinc and copper ions. A copper electrode in copper sulfate solution and a zinc electrode in zinc sulfate solution create a voltage that can be measured with a voltmeter or used to power a small device. |
| Copper Electroplating | ★★☆ | ★☆☆ | ★★☆ | In this demonstration, a steel nail or other metallic object is coated with a thin layer of copper using an electric current. The copper ions in solution are attracted to the polarized nail, which acts as the cathode, resulting in a visible copper coating. |
| Electrolysis of Sodium Chloride (Brine) | ★★☆ | ★★☆ | ★★☆ | Aqueous sodium chloride is electrolyzed with inert electrodes to produce hydrogen gas at the cathode, chlorine gas at the anode, and sodium hydroxide remaining in solution. |
| Lead Storage Battery | ★★☆ | ★☆☆ | ★★☆ | This experiment demonstrates how a lead storage battery works by constructing a simple lead-acid cell, charging it with a direct-current power supply, and then discharging it. It illustrates the reversible redox reactions that make rechargeable batteries possible. |
| 12V Car Battery Dissection | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | A car battery is a lead-acid electrochemical cell that converts chemical energy into electrical energy. It consists of lead plates and sulfuric acid electrolyte, which react to provide the current needed to start a vehicle and power its electrical systems. |
| Alkaline Battery Dissection | ★★☆ | ★★★ | ★★★ | This demonstration shows how to dissect a D cell alkaline battery to observe and extract its internal components, including zinc paste, potassium hydroxide electrolyte, and manganese dioxide. Students learn about battery structure and the role of each material in electrochemical reactions. |
| Hydrogen and Oxygen Exploding Bubbles | ★★☆ | ★★☆ | ★★★ | Electrolysis of dilute sulfuric acid produces hydrogen and oxygen gases, which are collected as soap bubbles. When ignited, the bubbles explode with a loud “crack,” demonstrating electrolysis, gas recombination, and energy changes. |
Materials
★☆☆ Easy to get from supermarket or hardware store
★★☆ Available in most school laboratories or specialist stores
★★★ Requires materials not commonly found in school laboratories
Difficulty
★☆☆ Can be easily done by most teenagers
★★☆ Available in most school laboratories or specialist stores
★★★ Requires a more experienced teacher
Safety
★☆☆ Minimal safety procedures required
★★☆ Some safety precautions required to perform safely
★★★ Only to be attempted with adequate safety procedures and trained staff