My Little Electrolytic Cell

Electrolysis of salt water in the presence of orthotolidine, shows generation of chlorine, by turning orange. No audio track. An updated version in HD is "Cell Operation - PS". Other related videos are: Cell Architecture, Dimethylbenzidine, Digging for Graphite, and Unboxing F-rods.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• chemistry
• electrochemistry
• chlorine

[bobby32123]

what current density are you running at?

[orthotolidine]

@bobby32123 I have two ammeters that look like the one in this video, and the resolution is too low to read it, but it would roughly have been 50mA or 100mA. Using 100mA and the exposed electrode area of 836 square mm for one of the graphite rods, then the current density would be 0.12mA/sq.mm, or 120A/sq.meter.

[stevewangster]

Question: The polarities switch for an Electrolytic Cell correct?

In an electrochemical cell the anode is (-) and the cathode is (+)

But in a electrolytic cell or electroplating the anode is (+) and the cathode is (-)

Can anyone confirm this?

P.S I am in AP Chemistry

[orthotolidine]

@stevewangster If the cell is consuming electrical energy, then the anode is positive. If it is delivering power, the anode is negative.

[GerasLt3]

How many volts are passing through the electrodes?

[orthotolidine]

@GerasLt3 That lantern battery in the video is 6 volts.

[orthotolidine]

The electrodes are graphite rods from zinc-carbon, size D batteries (cells). Larger rods are available as graphite stirring rods from casting supply houses.

[orthotolidine]

The primary products are chlorine, sodium hydroxide, and hydrogen. The chlorine, produced at the electrode where you see the orange colour coming from, does not escape in large quantities because it reacts with the sodium hydroxide to form secondary products, such as sodium hypochlorite and sodium chlorate.