Chemistry - Electrolysis 2.0

In this MEL Academy lesson your children will:

  • learn the nature of electrolytes
  • perform electrolysis of salt solution with their own hands
  • make a hydrogen explosion (totally safe!)

Lesson time

9:00am   PST (San Francisco, Seattle, ...)
10:00am   MST (Phoenix, Denver, ...)
11:00am   CST (Chicago, Houston, ...)
12:00pm   EST (New York, Toronto, ...)
5:00pm   GMT (London, ...)

Lesson duration: 45-55 minutes.

Prepare in advance

In this lesson, we will conduct "9V electrolysis" DIY experiments. Prepare in advance household materials shown below.

DIY Materials

  2 x 9V Batteries
  USB cable you don't need (we will cut it) or a wire
  4x transparent cups (paper or plastic)
  red cabbage or beetroot juice
  cereal box or playing card
  scissors
  salt (spoonful)
  sugar (spoonful)
  teaspoon
  3 x glass
  blue tack (optional)
  2x paperclip
  access to water

Worksheet

Please, download and print this worksheet in advance. You’ll need to refer to it during the lesson.

MEL Experiment

If you are a subscriber of MEL Chemistry then you can conduct Oxyhydrogen experiment from the Pure water chemistry set:

Pure water

Tutor

This lesson is presented by Mark Maclaine:

Mark Maclaine

Mark has been an educator for 20 years and has taught more than 20,000 hours of one-on-one lessons to over 1200 students. He initially struggled in school as the academic study didn’t come naturally to him. What was a weakness has become one of his greatest strengths - finding he is able to connect with students who are themselves struggling. Using a set of skills developed over the past two decades and his RELATE Teaching Method, Mark has become one of the best-known educators in the world. He is passionate about his work and is committed to transforming the education system so it works for everyone.