Links+2009-2010

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Electrolysis is a chemical change. It is the decomposition of water into hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. The decomposition occurs when an electric current is passed through the water. The molecules of the substance break down into charged particles called ions. An ion with a negative charge is called an anion because it is drawn through the solution to the positive charge on the anode. A particle with a positive charge is called a cation. It moves through the solution to the cathode. Water has its solvent properties because it is polar. The molecule has charged ends (+ and -). These charged ends react with charges on other polar substances to dissolve them. They do so by taking hydrogen atoms from the substance to form hydronium ions.======

**The word electrolysis means the process of breaking molecules to smaller components by using an electric current**.
Check these pages out to help you out with electrolysis: [|Electrolysis of Water] [|Simple Electrolysis of Water] (at home version of what we are doing in class) [|Chemistry Comes Alive] (this is a little more advanced version) [|AbsoluteAstronomy.com] [|Electrolysis: Obtaining hydrogen from water: The Basis for a Solar-Hydrogen Economy] (scroll down for a great diagram and explanation of electrolysis)

Videos/Clips: Electrolysis in Action [|Electrolysis with Water: Exploding Water] (if you decide to try this at home make sure you do this in an open container and do it with adult supervision, also make sure to take precautions, just as you would in a lab setting when using a flame.) [|Electrolysis with Water] (shows capturing gas with ballon then exploding it...DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME<<<CAPTURING GAS IN A CLOSED CONTAINER CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS!!!!) [|Electrolysis Introduction] (this shows other types of electrolysis and gives a great explanation of the process) [|eBaum's World] (occurs with use of nail) [|Electrolysis of Water] (very simplicity explanation of what is happening)