Construction of an improvised electrolysis apparatus 2
1. University of the Philippines
National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education
(UPNISMED)
*This is one of the activities developed by UPNISMED as part of the Science and
Mathematics Education Manpower Development Project (SMEMDP).
2. What you will need
glue
ruler
alcohol lamp/safety matches
stripping knife
dry cells (1.5 V)
2 paper clips (bulldog type)
3 disposable syringes (10 mL)
2 stainless steel screws # 6 (2 x 12)
2 connecting wires (red and black)
iron nail (about 6 cm)
plastic bottle (1 L, 8 cm in diameter
or more ), preferably thick and
hard
hard plastic straw or dextrose
plastic tube (6 cm long)
3. Remove each of the plungers
from the two disposable 10 mL
syringes.
Attach the two syringes at the
base by heating it in an alcohol
lamp.
4. Insert each tip of the
syringe inside a plastic
straw.
Bend the straw to close it
using a bulldog type
paper clip.
“electrolysis syringes”
5. Divide the plastic bottle into 3 1
portions by marking “cutting 2 6 cm
lines” around the bottle.
3 5 cm
Use the following distance between cutting-line marks:
Bottom portion:about 5 Middle portion: about 6 cm from
cm from the bottom part of the marked line of the bottom
the bottle. This will serve portion. This will serve as the
as the sample container. electrolysis apparatus stand.
6. Using pre-heated stripping knife, cut
the bottle along the marking lines.
Use the middle portion of the bottle
as a stand for the container.
Make two small squares measuring
2 cm x 2 cm at opposite sides of the
base.
These will serve as
passageway for the
connecting wires.
7. Measure the distance between the
centers of the “electrolysis
syringes”.
Mark this length with a line on
the bottom of the cup.
Using a hot GI wire/nail
(2 mm in diameter),
bore a small hole at each
end of the line.
8. Insert the stainless screw
through each hole by rotating it
carefully until 1/4 of the nail is
out at the bottom of the bottle.
Apply glue around the
stainless screws at the bottom
part of the container to
prevent leaks.
Note: The glue should only be applied on
the outside surface of the container.
9. Support the sample container using
the electrolysis apparatus stand.
Invert the “electrolysis syringes”
over the stainless screws.
10. Connect the wires (red and black)
to each stainless screw at the
bottom of the container.
Connect the red wire to positive
(+) terminal of the dry cell.
Connect the black wire to negative
(-) terminal of the dry cell.
11. sample container
electrolysis syringes
Attached to the Attached to the
stainless screw stainless screw
Connect black
Connect red wire to negative
wire to positive (-) terminal of
(+) terminal of the dry cell.
the dry cell.
The complete set-up of an improvised electrolysis apparatus
Reference: Philippines. National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development.
(2001). Practical work in high school chemistry: Sourcebook for teachers. Quezon City: Author
