Ratios in Electrolysis

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From: Eric Muller (emuller@exploratorium.edu)
Date: Tue May 08 2001 - 16:48:34 PDT 

Date: Tue, 08 May 2001 16:48:34 -0700
From: Eric Muller <emuller@exploratorium.edu>
Subject: Ratios in Electrolysis
Message-id: <002201c0d819$652ffe40$6401a8c0@office>

Hey gang,
I've been doing electrolysis with stainless steel electrodes attached to a 9volt battery. The electrodes are submerged into a solution of Epsom salt and water. I get Hydrogen and Oxygen bubbling off the terminals. The problem is I don't get anywhere near a 2:1 ratio. It is more like 5 or 10:1. I've been using high quality stainless steel so there has been no rusting. I do get some type of salt build, but it is at the hydrogen electrode.

I know this stuff is complicated, but does anyone have any idea as to why the ratio is so far off.

Eric Muller
Science Educator
Exploratorium
Teacher Institute
3601 Lyon St.
San Francisco, CA 94123
415 561 0386

www.doscience.com

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