Explained: The Process of Electrolysis of Acidified Water
The passage of current through a compound in its molten or aqueous state decomposes the compound into its constituent ions, and the ions get discharged at the respective electrodes.
Take a plastic mug and drill two holes. Fix it on a stand. Take two rubber corks that fit into the holes.
Insert two graphite rods through the holes.
Take some water and add a few drops of sulphuric acid to it.
Fill the mug with acidified water to immerse the electrodes (graphite rods).
Connect the lower ends of the graphite rods to a switch and 6-volt battery. Take two test tubes filled with water and carefully put them on the electrodes.
Switch on the electric current and leave the apparatus undisturbed for some time.
Performing the Experiment:
The formation of bubbles is observed at the electrodes. The bubble of gases displaces water in the test tube.
Observation
The gases formed at the graphite rods get collected at the top part of the test tube. The water level in the test tubes drops gradually.
We observe the volume of gas collected in the test tube is double the volume of the gas collected in the test tube.
The Test Tube is connected to the negative terminal, which is connected to the battery's positive terminal.
When the test tubes are filled with gases, remove them carefully and test the two gases.
The gas collected over the negative terminal is hydrogen which is double the volume of the gas collected over the positive terminal, which is oxygen.