Lab Resource

Electrolysis Using a Microscale Hoffman Apparatus—Microscale Chemistry

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This Electrolysis Using a Microscale Hoffman Apparatus—Microscale Chemistry lab resource also includes:

Get big results out of a small-scale lab! Young chemists observe the electrolysis of sodium sulfate using a microscale experiment. A colorful indicator solution combined with the production of gas bubbles yields a variety of observations for learners to explain in the post-lab questions.

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CCSS: Adaptable
Additional Tags
Instructional Ideas
  • Add the lab to a chemical reaction types unit to illustrate decomposition and the formation of new products in solution
  • Have a Bunsen burner available so partners can perform a pop test on the gases they collect to determine their identities
Classroom Considerations
  • Prepare solutions ahead of time and make sure you have enough equipment for each group
  • Review the colors produced by the indicator solution so the class is able to interpret their observations
Pros
  • The included teacher's reference guide contains solution preparation information as well as apparatus guides
  • Use of bromothymol blue indicator allows pupils to visualize the electrolysis reaction easily
Cons
  • None
Common Core