During our recent chemistry summer camp, we used some electrochemistry activities. We had some logistical issues, but they were an overal success!
Engaging and Sustaining Students' Interest in Chemistry
The November 2014 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education is available online to subscribers at http://pubs.acs.org/toc/jceda8/91/11. The November issue content includes content on water chemistry, diversity and women in science, professional development, teaching with technology, electrochemistry, and more.
Changing the Landscape of Chemical Education
The December 2013 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education is available online to subscribers at http://pubs.acs.org/toc/jceda8/90/12. This issue of JCE plus the content of all past issues, volumes 1 through 90, are available to subscribers at http://pubs.acs.org/jchemeduc.
Students proceed through a prior knowledge activity, practice creating and using a voltaic cell and use of a model designed to simulate the particulate level activity within a voltaic cell. The teacher checks for student understanding at specific points as groups work together. A discussion follows to help clarify ideas.
About one 60 minute class period for lab and manipulative procedure.
Electrolysis of a calcium nitrate solution produces oxygen at the anode and hydrogen at the cathode.
An electric current is passed through a sulfuric acid solution. Gases collected at the electrodes are tested.
Electrolysis of a cobalt(II) nitrate solution produces oxygen at the anode, and hydrogen and cobalt at the cathode.
Electrolysis of a nickel(II) nitrate solution produces oxygen at the anode, and hydrogen and nickel at the cathode.