Thread: electrolysis formula?

Is there such a thing as an electrolysis formula? I need to know for an experiment I am trying.

And yes i know. electrolysis is high school chemistry, but i have a good idea for it. i just need a formula. or some ideas in how to make one.

What are you trying to electrolyze, if you don't mind me asking? I think I might know what you're after but it would help to know what you have in mind to do.

sea waters, lots of sea waters

You should look into the hydrogen fuel cell.

an electrolysis boat would never need to be refueled because it could probuce all its own energy from the very beginning

SOMEONE HELP ME PLEASE!!

Originally Posted by Brokenazs

an electrolysis boat would never need to be refueled because it could probuce all its own energy from the very beginning

You mean, like, perpetual motion?

Originally Posted by Brokenazs

SOMEONE HELP ME PLEASE!!

No. LOL.

If you're going to use the H₂ produced by the electrolysis you might as well just use H₂ in the first place instead of using the extra energy to produce it on board. And actually that's a good question, after you use the energy to produce the H₂, does it even pay off?

Originally Posted by Chemboy

If you're going to use the H₂ produced by the electrolysis you might as well just use H₂ in the first place instead of using the extra energy to produce it on board. And actually that's a good question, after you use the energy to produce the H₂, does it even pay off?

idk thats y i need some type of formula.

with the electrical properties of sea water, the amount of energy needed and the total yield and the power it would take to run a ship that size with a full hull of cargo....

would it be possible to make one? im not very well inclined in mathematics.

this problem is the entire reason i joined this forum to begin with. would solar energy alone be enough is another question im wondering about.

Bulk shipping is already the most efficient form of transportation.

Anyway, perpetual motion has been tried and tried and your idea of salt water electrolysis isn't new. Go crazy on it and crank the patent offices if you must.

i just wanna know if it would work and i just wanted to know if there was a formula..

u dont have to be such a smart ass

Pong: Even if it isn't a new idea he deserves a fair answer and there's no need to shoot his idea down.

Brokenazs: Pong's remark wasn't justified but neither was yours. Comments like that are not welcome here. Please refrain from such things in the future. I personally don't have a good answer to your question right now but I hope someone will be able to provide one.

I think I misunderstood the question the first time round, I thought you had come up with the hydrogen fuel cell, which of course already exists. I see now that you want to use the electrolysis of water to power a boat. Do you mean by using the solar panels to turn the water into hydrogen and oxygen, then using the energy given off when those two recombine to power the boat? As in a hydrogen fuel cell, but creating your own hydrogen as you go?

I'm not too knowledgeable in this area, but wouldn't it make more sense to just use the power collected from the solar panels to power the ship? You will only lose energy the way you are suggesting, as far as I can see.

EDIT

Also OP, exactly what sort of formula is it you are looking for?

Do you mean like,

2 H2O + 2 NaCl(a) + e = 2 NaOH + H2 + Cl2

I have a good idea. How about u make an electrolysis machine to produce Sodium Hydroxide for schools? I am just kidding. Ur idea doesnt work because u need electricity for electrolysis. if u really want to u could put solar panels on a ship to provide the electricity for the electrolysis but that is really redundant and stupid.

Originally Posted by Brokenazs

an electrolysis boat would never need to be refueled because it could probuce all its own energy from the very beginning

It will take more energy to perform the electrolysis than you will be able to get back when you use the electrolysis products as fuel.

Well, as far as I understand, trying to electrolyse salt water won't produce energy, merely drain you of electricity...

Anyways, for H2O, that would be H2O, upon electrolysis, gives H2 + O2.