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Materials

How to make Hydrogen Gas

Start with the video, then use the science notes and recommended parts below to follow the idea behind the build.

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How it works

What this project is testing.

Water contains hydrogen, but the atoms are locked into molecules. Electrolysis uses electrical energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen gases.

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The experiment demonstrates that chemistry can be driven by electricity. Bubbles are the clue: gas appears at the electrodes because electrons are forcing new chemical reactions to happen.

2 H_{2} O (l) \to 2 H_{2} (g) + O_{2} (g)

Overall, water splits into hydrogen gas and oxygen gas.

Recommended parts

Products used in this project.

Affiliate links may earn Keystone Science a commission. Match ratings, values, sizes, polarity, and safety requirements to your own build before buying.

Pure Life Distilled Water 2.5 Gallon, 320 Fl Oz

waterfluid

Pure Life Distilled Water, 2.5 Gallon

$5.694.6(410)

2 x 13.5 Pounds Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda (27 Pounds Total)

salt / electrolytechemistry

Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda, 2 x 13.5 Pounds

4.8(1,100)

For electrolysis demos, baking soda is often a safer electrolyte than table salt.

Sci-Supply Self-Contained Water Electrolysis Apparatus Kit – Hydrogen & Oxygen Gas Generation Demonstration with Power Supply & Banana Plug Leads – Chemistry & STEM Experiment

hydrogen gaschemistry

Sci-Supply Self-Contained Water Electrolysis Apparatus Kit for Hydrogen and Oxygen Gas Demonstration

$79.954.2(8)

Do not buy or store hydrogen gas. This is a safer water-electrolysis demonstration kit, but it has sparse Amazon review evidence.

Reynolds Wrap Everyday Strength Aluminum Foil Roll, Freezer and Grill Safe, Great for Foil Packets and Home Cooking, 12 Inches Wide, 200 Total Sq. Ft.

aluminum foilfabrication

Reynolds Wrap Everyday Strength Aluminum Foil Roll, 12 Inches Wide, 200 Total Sq. Ft.

$13.494.8(29K)

Plywood Board 20PCS 12" x8" x 1/12 inch Basswood Sheets Thin Wood Sheets Perfect for Arts Crafts School Projects and DIY Projects,Baltic Birch Sheets Perfect for Wood Burning…

woodfabrication

Plywood Board 20PCS 12 x 8 x 1/12 inch Basswood Sheets for Arts, Crafts, School Projects, and DIY

$19.994.6(2,300)

Eastman 0.17 Inch ID (1/4 Inch OD) PVC Clear Vinyl Tubing, 20 Foot Length, 98560

tubing / hosefluid/vacuum

Eastman Clear Vinyl Tubing, 0.17 Inch ID, 1/4 Inch OD, 20 Foot Length

$5.984.6(5,100)

NoCry Clear Safety Glasses for Men and Women with Anti-Fog and Scratch Resistant Wrap Around Lenses, Adjustable Temples and Nose Pads — ANSI Z87 Certified Protective Eyewear with 100% UV Shielding

safety glassessafety

NoCry Clear Safety Glasses with Anti-Fog and Scratch-Resistant Wraparound Lenses, ANSI Z87 Certified

$13.984.5(49K)

MAGID Rubber Insulating Electrical Safety Gloves, Class 0 ASTM Compliant

glovessafety

MAGID Rubber Insulating Electrical Safety Gloves, Class 0 ASTM Compliant

4.5(955)

Safety-critical: verify voltage class and standards before recommending for high-voltage work.

MECCANIXITY Graphite Block Ingot Rectangle Graphite Electrode Plate Board 100x20x5mm for Melting Casting, Electrolysis Electroplating, Pack of 5

electrodeschemistry/electrical

MECCANIXITY Graphite Electrode Plate Board, 100x20x5mm, Pack of 5

$9.394.6(53)

Good functional match, but sparse Amazon review evidence. Review requirements and safety guidance before buying.

Amazon Basics 8-Pack 9V Long-Lasting Alkaline Batteries for Smoke Detector, Electronics & Audio, Reliable, 5-Year Shelf Life

batterypower

Amazon Basics 8-Pack 9V Long-Lasting Alkaline Batteries

$12.694.7(242K)

General electronics battery pick; choose AA/AAA variants when the circuit calls for them.

EDGELEC 120pcs Breadboard Jumper Wires 20cm Wire Length Optional Dupont Cable Assorted Kit Male to Female Multicolored Ribbon Cables

jumper wires / hookup wirewiring

120pcs Breadboard Jumper Wires, 20cm Dupont Cable Assorted Kit, Male to Female

$6.984.7(4,500)

EISCO Laboratory Glassware Set, 9pcs - Includes Beaker Set (3pcs), Erlenmeyer Flask Set (3pcs), ASTM Class A Graduated Cylinder Set (3pc) - Chemistry Glassware - Made of Borosilicate 3.3 Glass

glass flaskchemistry

EISCO Laboratory Glassware Set, 9pcs - Includes Beaker Set (3pcs), Erlenmeyer Flask Set (3pcs), ASTM Class A Graduated Cylinder Set (3pc) - Chemistry Glassware - Made of Borosilicate 3.3 Glass

$54.494.7(451)

21 Pack Solid Rubber Stopper, Black Lab Plug, 000# - 8# Sizes Assortment, 11 Assorted Sizes

rubber stopperchemistry

21 Pack Solid Rubber Stopper, Black Lab Plug, 000# - 8# Sizes Assortment, 11 Assorted Sizes

$7.994.6(798)

J-B Weld 8265S Original Cold-Weld Steel Reinforced Epoxy - 2 oz.

two-part epoxyfabrication

J-B Weld Original Cold-Weld Two-Part Epoxy

Bezente assorted rainbow latex balloons, 100 pack

balloonchemistry

Bezente Assorted Rainbow Latex Balloons, 100 Pack 12 inch Round Helium Bright Color Balloons for Birthday Bridal Shower Wedding Party Decorations

$6.994.6(13K)

Project files

Prints, kits, and downloads.

Diagrams, printable files, kits, or companion downloads will appear here when they are ready to use.

Coming soon

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