The effects of an electric current

Junior Science

Chemical Effect
An electric current can be used to cause a
chemical reactions.
Electrolysis is the production of a chemical
change by electricity.
Electroplating is a process where electrolysis
is used to put a layer of one metal on the
surface of another.

The Electrolysis of water

Voltameter
is an apparatus used to pass
electricity through substances.

Conductivity
is improved by adding a small
amount of Sulphuric acid (H2SO4).
Anode (+)

Cathode (-)

The Electrolysis of water

The Electrolysis of water is
the decomposition of
water (H2O) into oxygen
(O2) and hydrogen gas (H2)
due to an electric current
being passed through
the water.
Anode (+)

Cathode (-)

The Electrolysis of water

As the current is allowed to flow
bubbles of gas appear in the two
test tubes.
There is twice the amount of gas at
the negative electrode (cathode)
than at the positive electrode
(anode).
Anode (+)

Cathode (-)

The Electrolysis of water

At the negatively charged cathode, a
reduction reaction takes place, with
electrons (e) from the cathode being
given to hydrogen cations to form
hydrogen gas
Reduction at cathode:
2 H+(aq) + 2e H2(g)
At the positively charged anode, an
oxidation reaction occurs, generating
oxygen gas and giving electrons to the anode
to complete the circuit:
Oxidation at anode:
2 H2O(L) O2(g) + 4 H+(aq) + 4e

Anode (+)

Cathode (-)

The Electrolysis of water

The gas produced at the negative
electrode is tested by placing a lit
taper at the top of the tube, it causes a
loud pop, indicating the gas is
Hydrogen.
A glowing taper is placed over test tube
from the positive electrode and it
relights, indicating the gas is Oxygen.
By splitting water into its components this
demonstrates the chemical effect of
and electric current.
Anode (+)

Cathode (-)

Importance of Electrolysis
Metals such as Sodium, Magnesium and Aluminium are
obtained from their molten states by electrolysis.
Production of oxygen for spacecraft and nuclear
submarines.
Electroplating is used in many industries for functional
or decorative purposes, as in vehicle bodies and nickel
coins.
Production of hydrogen for fuel, using a cheap source
of electrical energy.
Electrolysis is also used in the cleaning and
preservation of old artifacts.

Heating Effect
A current requires Energy to pass through a metal
wire.
Some metals provide greater resistance to the
flow of current and as a result more energy is
required.

This results in the Conversion of electric energy

into heat energy.

Heating effect of an Electric Current

Heating effect of an electric Current

The temperature of the water rises steadily, as the current
passes through the coil.
An electric current passed through a wire produces heat.
The amount of heat produced will depend on the type of
metal used.
Nichrome is a metal used in electric fires as it requires a lot of
energy to allow the electric current to pass through.
This proves that an electric current has a heating effect.

Everyday appliances such as electric heaters, kettles, irons and

electric blankets used this fact.

Magnetic Effect
1819 Danish Physicist Hans Oersted discovered that
a magnetic field surrounds a wire when a current
flows through it.
The direction of the magnetic field is give by the
right hand rule.
The conversion from electrical energy into
magnetic energy can be demonstrated using a coil
of wire and an iron nail to make an electromagnet.

Electromagnet

Results and Conclusion

As the current flows through the wire a

magnet field is created around the wire.
The iron nail becomes magnetised and
attracts the tacs.
If the circuit is kept closed for too long the
nail will become permanently magnetised.
This effect is used in the application of the
electric bell.

Summary
Three effects of an electric current include its
chemical effect, heating effect and magnetic
effect.
Electrolysis of water demonstrates the chemical
effect.
Connecting a bulb into a simple circuit
demonstrates the heating effect.
Coiling a wire around a nail and connecting into a
circuit creates an electromagnetic which
demonstrates the magnetic effect of the current.