PRACTICAL No______

Processing Data
Grade 8
Communication in Science /8
Your
Student’s name Year Group MYP Assessment
Mark

ELECTROLYSIS OF BRINE
1. INTRODUCTION

Electrolysis is a process in which

electrical current passes through a
substance to produce a chemical change.
Brine is a concentrated solution of
common salt (sodium chloride) and
during its electrolysis, oxidation and
reduction processes are observed at the
anode and cathode respectively.
The products formed during the
electrolysis are widely used in industries.

Universal indicator was used in the

solution to follow chemical changes
occurred during the reaction.

2. AIMS:

1) To observe a chemical transformation and to understand the role of different parts of an

electrolytic cell.
2) To understand the factors that may affect the rate of electrolysis.
3) To describe the redox processes occurred at different electrodes and to apply the concept
of reactivity series studied in class.
4) To determine semi quantitatively the formation of products at the cathode and anode
electrodes.
The main objective is to decompose the water (electrolyte), by means of an electrical
source with the help of a sodium hydroxide electrolyte, producing a reaction in the
graphite electrodes introduced in each tube with the appropriate solution (electrolyte);
where oxygen (Chlorine) and hydrogen are formed separately;
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3. HYPOTHESIS:

As the electrolyte concentrate increases. The electrolysis will increase the speed to
produce a greater amount of hydrogen and oxygen (choline) and this causes an increase
in the speed of production and a greater volume of hydrogen since it produces (2: one);
Due to the passage of an electrical charge through the anode and the cathode.
4. VARIABLES:

Independent variable: sodium choride satured solution 15%

Dependent variable: volume of gas produced /cm

5. FACTORS TO BE CONTROLLED:

Temperature, types of solution, battery supply

6. RESEARCH QUESTION:
How would amount of concentration of sodium chloride
affect the rate of electrolysis?
7. MATERIALS:

Apparatus and Equipment: Chemicals:

02 small test tubes Sodium chloride saturated solution 15 %
02 crocodile clips Universal Indicator
02 graphite electrodes
01 power supply (3.0V)
01 separating slid
Safety goggles
01 chronometer

8. SAFETY NOTES:

 Wear eye protection at all time.

 Chlorine is toxic and harmful to the lungs, eyes and respiratory tract.

 Hydrogen is explosive and extremely flammable.

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9. PROCEDURE:

a) Label the apparatus shown below:

Test tube Test tube

Electrolyte solution

Beaker (electrolytes cell)

Cathode (-) Anode (+)

Electron flow

Wire battery supply

b) Work in group of two
c) Prepare a saturated solution of sodium chloride Weight out 15 g of sodium chloride in
100 cm3of distilled water (2.47 mol.dm3).
d) Add 20 t0 25 drops of Universal Indicator.
e) Place the saturated solution into the vessel of the electrolytic cell.
f) Record temperature of the solution and the voltage setting of the power supply to be used
(3.0V).
g) Turn on the power supply and start the electrolysis for 20 min.
h) Record your observations and results on table 1.
i) After 20 minutes turn off the power supply and mark the level of water reached inside the
inverted test tube.
j) Place a known amount of water (as accurate as possible) to be able to measure the exact
volume of gas produced in each electrode.

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RESULTS:
a) Record your results and complete the table below with the chemical transformations
occurring at each electrode.

TABLE 1: Qualitative results

Anode Cathode

2CL-(aq) – 2e- CL2(g)

2H+(aq) +2e- H2(g)
Chemical equations
(Half-equations)

A= Start
B= Start
transparent enything of burbujas
transparent enything of burbujas
30s se vieron burbujas
Qualitative 1min se vieron burbujas pequeñas
5min se vieron burbujas grandes y
Observations 5min se observó pequeñas burbujas y
rapidas
tenía una velocidad muy lenta
8min se ve una línea de color verde
20min se observó que el papel
en el papel universal después el agua
universal seguía de color verde
estaba de color azul (alkalino)

Amount of product
obtained Gas of Chlorine Gas of hydroxide

To obtain the volume of chlorine and hydrogen it is measured by means of a graded

calibrator.

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CONCLUSIONS, DISCUSSION AND EVALUATIONS
In your “Conclusion, Discussion and Evaluation” you must include the following:

a) Give a brief description of the aim(s) of this practical.

The main objective is to decompose the water (electrolyte), by means of an electrical

source with the help of a sodium hydroxide electrolyte, producing a reaction in the
graphite electrodes introduced in each tube with the appropriate solution (electrolyte);
where oxygen (Chlorine) and hydrogen are formed separately;

b) Describe your results you obtained experimentally and use them to answer the research
question and to accept or reject the hypothesis proposed.

Electrolysis of Brine

To perform the electrolysis of water, two electrodes connected to a source of electrical energy are
needed, which are then placed in the water.

We place two cells to capture the gases that will form, and when passing current through the
electrodes, on the cathode side, that is to say the electrode that sends electrons, hydrogen will
appear, while on the anode side, the electrode that receives the electrons will appear oxygen.

If you want to increase the efficiency of this process, an electrolyte can be placed in water, such as
salt, or catalysts can be used.

“The negative (-) cathode attracts Na + (from sodium chloride) and H + (from water) ions. Only
hydrogen ions are discharged at the cathode. The more reactive electrode graphite, is the less easily
its ion is reduced on the surface of the electrode.

The hydrogen ions are reduced by the gain of the electrons (e-) to form hydrogen molecules in the
negative electrode that attracts the positive ions.

The positive anode attracts the negative ions of hydroxide OH- (from water) and chloride Cl- (from
sodium chloride). Only the chloride ion is discharged, it is oxidized to chlorine.

Oxidation of hydroxide ions or water molecules can produce oxygen gas and chlorine gas. At low
concentrations of chloride ion, competitive oxidation of water or hydroxide ion may occur,
particularly as the concentration of hydroxide ion increases as electrolysis proceeds.”
(Electrolysis of sodium chloride solution brine. (s.f.). Recuperado 8 noviembre, 2018, de)

Temperatura: 19.7 (Start) ------- Sube 2˚(experiment)

Batery 3V Red positive charge – Anodo (+)
Negro negative charge – Cathode (-)

Cathode (-) Bubbles around the graphite electrode

Anode (+) At 30 sg it began to bubble - 1st

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 At the anode you can see a blue line,
alkalinity indicator

See the : Qualitative results

c) Explain your experimental results using the theory you have studied in class.

At the time of the electrolysis it was observed that around the graphite electrodes began
to form small bubbles that at the same time detached and rose to the top of the tube
displacing the liquid. It is also observed that tube where there is hydrogen is obtained
much faster than oxygen.

The electrolysis of water is used to separate the components that make up the water that
in this case is hydrogen and oxygen through electricity depending on the negativity or
positivity of the poles of the electrical energy; Anode (+) oxygen is obtained and Cathode
(-) hydrogen is obtained.

d) Describe the experimental errors, difficulties and limitations you had during this
practical.

1. Lack of synchronization of the use of equipment.

2. Lack of equipment.

f) Describe simple and practical ways to improve this investigation so as to reduce the
experimental errors and to go over the difficulties and limitations.

1. During the experiment, the tightness of the cap should be checked to

avoid any loss of the gas generated.

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 Processing Data
Grade 8 Communication
in Science
ATL /8
MYP Area of
Student’s name Year Group Interaction
Your Mark
Assessment

Item
Nº
Description What your “Laboratory Report” needs to show!

Tables for
The raw and processed data are organised and presented in clear tables with table
Raw &
1 Processed
numbers, proper titles and heading paying due attention to units, uncertainties, decimal
places and qualitative observations when relevant.
Data
Calculations Calculations and statistical data analysis are performed correctly paying due attention
2 and Data to decimal places and units, and showing when necessary formulae, sample
Manipulation calculations and/or Excel commands.
Raw and/or processed data are presented in self-contained and clear graphs which
Graphical
3 displays
show graph numbers, proper titles and axes-labels paying due attention to units,
uncertainties, decimal places and error bars when relevant.
Conclusion,
The conclusion refreshes the aim of the investigation and presents the results of the
Discussion
4 and
investigation in a clear way in order to respond to the research question or to assess the
hypothesis proposed.
Evaluation (I)
Conclusion,
Discussion
The validity and reliability of the results are discussed in comparison with other
5 and
evidence (theory) or on the basis of the consistency of the data.
Evaluation
(II)
Conclusions,
Discussion
Relevant sources of experimental error, problems and limitations are described and
6 and
feasible ways to improve the investigation are proposed.
Evaluation
(II)

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT SHEET:

7
 RUBRIC TO EVALUATE THE LAB REPORT
Grade 8 – Eighth year of MYP

Criterion C: Processing and evaluating

Maximum: 8

At the end of year 4, students should be able to:

i. Present collected and transformed data

ii. Interpret data and explain results using scientific reasoning
iii. Evaluate the validity of a hypothesis based on the outcome of the scientific
investigation
iv. Evaluate the validity of the method
v. Explain improvements or extensions to the method

ACHIEVEMENT
LEVEL DESCRIPTOR
LEVEL
0 The student does not reach a standard described by any of the descriptors below.
The student is able to:
 Collect and present data in numerical and/or visual forms
 Interpret data
1–2  State the validity of a prediction based on the outcome of a scientific
investigation
 State the validity of the method based on the outcome of a scientific
investigation
 State improvements or extensions to the method.
The student is able to:
 Correctly collect and present data in numerical and/or visual forms
 Accurately interpret data and outline results
3–4  Outline the validity of a prediction based on the outcome of a scientific
investigation
 Outline the validity of the method based on the outcome of a scientific
investigation

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  Outline improvements or extensions to the method that would benefit the
scientific investigation.

The student is able to:

 Correctly collect, organize and present data in numerical and/or visual
forms
 Accurately interpret data and explain results using scientific reasoning
5–6  Discuss the validity of a prediction based on the outcome of a scientific
investigation
 Discuss the validity of the method based on the outcome of a scientific
investigation
 Discuss improvements or extensions to the method that would benefit the
scientific investigation.
The student is able to:
 Correctly collect, organize, transform and present data in numerical and/ or
visual forms.
o The raw and processed data are organized and presented in clear tables
with table numbers, proper titles and heading paying due attention to
units, uncertainties, decimal places and qualitative observations when
relevant.
o Calculations and statistical data analysis are performed correctly paying
due attention to decimal places and units, and showing when necessary
formulae, sample calculations and/or Excel commands.

 Accurately interpret data and explain results using correct scientific

reasoning.
o The raw and processed data are organized and presented in clear tables
with table numbers, proper titles and heading paying due attention to
units, uncertainties, decimal places and qualitative observations when
7–8 relevant.
o Calculations and statistical data analysis are performed correctly paying
due attention to decimal places and units, and showing when necessary
formulae, sample calculations and/or Excel commands.
o Raw and/or processed data are presented in self-contained and clear
graphs which show graph numbers, proper titles and axes-labels paying
due attention to units, uncertainties, decimal places and error bars when
relevant.
 Evaluate the validity of a prediction based on the outcome of a scientific
investigation.
o Offer a considered and balanced review based on the comparison
between theoretical and experimental value.
o Discuss why the experimental value is validated (error dispersion, low
measurement errors)
 Evaluate the validity of the method based on the outcome of a scientific
investigation
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 o Make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations.
o Opinions or conclusions should be presented clearly and supported by
appropriate evidence.
 Explain improvements or extensions to the method that would benefit the
scientific investigation.
o Relevant sources of experimental error, problems and limitations are
described and feasible ways to improve the investigation are proposed.

At the cathode: (reduction occurs)

Na+ (aq) + e- Na (s)

H+(aq) + e- H2 (g)

At the anode: (oxidation occurs)

Cl- (aq) Cl2 (g) + e-

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