For this project, we had to design a device that transferred energy from one type to another. My group decided to make a mini hydrogen generator.
Our Design
For our project, my group decided to make a mini hydrogen generator. We constructed a ladder-esque electric conductor from two popsicle sticks and the screws. It was then placed inside one of the jars, which was filled with salt water. The ladder was hooked up to the battery via two wires to conduct the electric current, this lead to the zinc in the screws to react with the salt through the process of water electrolysis. This process is defined as “the decomposition of water into oxygen and hydrogen gas due to the passage of an electric current.” The two jars are connected with an IV drip, which the hydrogen and oxygen then enter to get to the second jar, which is only filled with water. The oxygen stays in the second jar, while the hydrogen continues to travel through the next tube to a petri dish filled with water. When the hydrogen enters the water, it is hydrogen gas which produces bubbles in the water. And because hydrogen gas is flammable, our initial goal was to take a lit match to it to ignite it, where we were then going to roast a marshmallow with it, however, our plans then changed, as we found there wasn’t enough gas to create a strong enough flame.
Technical Specifications
-Reactions Occuring -Chemical energy to start battery in which the ions exit through the anodes, enter the object, and come back to the cathodes, where ions are taken in. -Thermal and light energy from the flame, had it worked the way we intended it. -Equations Used: We found that we lost energy between the jars, as well as the petri dish. We lost 188.1J of energy between them. This energy loss probably resulted from not having a complete seal between the tubes and the jars. Q=mCT Q=450g4.18J/g℃.8℃ Heat energy of jar one is 1504.8J
Q=mCT Q=450g4.18J/g℃.7 Heat energy of jar two is 1316.7J
-Data Table
Amount of bubble in Jar Amount of hydrogen bubbles in end
1 Jar w/ old battery Very little None
1 Jar w/ new battery Alot None
1 Jar w/ 2 batteries Some None
2 Jars w/ old battery Some None
2 Jars w/ new battery Alot Lots of bubbles
2 Jars w/ 2 batteries Alot Lots of bubbles
Our Modifications
After we realized we weren’t going to be able toast a marshmallow, we began to try out different methods of producing hydrogen gas. There was a good amount of trial and error. Our first modification was changing the amount of salt we put into our first jar with the ladder. We noticed that when we added more, there was a stronger reaction between the salt and zinc, creating more separation between the hydrogen and oxygen. Another issue we ran into was lack of energy, so to solve this, we decided to hook up two nine volt batteries in series to provide a stronger current. This allowed us to create a stronger reaction, although in the end, it still wasn’t enough to create a sustaining flame, instead, all we got was a quick spark and fizzle in the petri dish.
Our Presentation
Reflection
I thought this was a really enjoyable project to work on. I learned a lot about hydrogen, as well as different types of energy and how they transfer over, something I didn't think I would. I was also partners with people who I hadn't previously worked with, which was a good experience. I learned a good amount about myself and them. One of the peaks of are group was that we each had good initiative, so we were able to get the materials we needed quickly and commence building. However, one of our weaknesses was that we didn't go through as many modifications as we could have to get our design to work. Another strength our group had was our teamwork, everyone had a specific job and made sure they got it done. Another weakness we had was that we could have been more ambitious with trying to come up with solutions, we set up our project quickly, but then we began to slow down, when we could've ran more tests and tried out more methods. Overall, though, I learned that I could take a little more initiative when things are slowing down in a project, I could say the same about my group mates. In conclusion, this was both a very fun and educational project.