High School Activities

Water Electrolysis

This laboratory experiment is designed to give students hands-on experience with running an electrochemical experiment using a 9V battery, water, and air. Learning objectives targeted in the activity include the scientific method, balancing chemical equations, and understanding electrochemical cells. Furthermore, students will gain background on the Haber-Bosch process, an extremely important reaction for supporting the global population, in addition to exploring how scientists think about developing sustainable alternatives. This activity can be extended further to cover additional information regarding acid-base chemistry, chemical equilibria, and scientific communication.

Downloadables:

Videos:

An Introduction to Electrochemistry: definitions, applications, and experiment

Water Electrolysis: What is it?

Water Electrolysis: Experimental walk-through

Water Electrolysis Part 2! Determining the pH of products

Prerecorded lecture on the course material 

pH and Water Electrolysis

This laboratory experiment is designed to complement the water electrolysis experiment above. These can either be done in the same session or split into two sessions.  Learning objectives targeted in the activity include the scientific method, balancing chemical equations, the pH scale, and relating redox reactions to acid-base chemistry. This activity can be an entry point for more in-depth discussion of Bronsted-Lowry acids and bases, chemical equilibria, and scientific communication.

Downloadables:

More Experiments Coming Soon!