The movement of ions: bringing electrolysis to life

By Declan Fleming2021-10-25T07:36:00

Two petri dishes wired with crocodile clips and paperclips and attached with paper which is changing colour under the charge

Source: © Declan Fleming

Demonstrate the movement of positive and negative ions with a simpler, safer version of this classic demo

An understanding of the attractive and repulsive forces that act between charged particles is vital for making sense of chemistry. For this reason, electrolytic activities can be extremely powerful experiences for students.

Demonstrate the migration of coloured positive and negative ions in the same experiment with a simpler and safer version of the classic demo involving the electrolysis of copper(II) chromate(VI) with teaching goals suitable for younger and older students.

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