In this experiment we are going to see how a light bulb can be lit using water and salt in the circuit. The aim of this experiment is to demonstrate the difference between H2O water, simple, which does not conduct electricity, and water with salt, which does conduct electricity. water conductivity.
MATERIALS FOR THE EXPERIMENT
- Basic Electrical Circuit Kit. Available in Alquera with 24-hour delivery.
- Connector cables. Optional, you can use the cable that comes in the basic circuit kit, but the connector cables will make the connections between the parts much easier, as they come with a clamp mouth and it is not necessary to cut and strip the cable at the ends.
- (If possible) DISTILLED WATERDistilled water can be found in the cleaning section of any supermarket, as it can be used as ironing water. As we are using 4V batteries, the experiment will work the same with tap water.
- COMMON SALT
STEP-BY-STEP EXPERIMENT ON WATER CONDUCTING ELECTRICITY
With the basic kit for an electrical circuit you will get a battery, bulb and switch. To see how to connect the basic circuit visit this entry: making an electrical circuit. It is very simple.
STEP 1. Create a basic electrical circuit and leave it open at 2 ends. In our case we used 2 batteries in series of 4V, but 1 battery would be enough.
STEP 2. Insert the 2 free ends into the water. Theoretically distilled water (with 0% salt content) should be used. We use tap water (which does have a 2% salt content) because using a low voltage (8V) will not be sufficient for this water to conduct. At normal household voltage (220V) tap water would conduct electricity. We can see that the bulb does not light up, which means that it is not conducting electricity.
STEP 3. Now add common salt (NaCl) to the water. 2 tablespoons in a 250ml glass is about 100g/L (4 times saltier than sea water). We plug the ends into the water and see that now the bulb lights up, the electricity is being conducted through the salt water.
VIDEO EXPERIMENT
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Excellent information. It is very useful for me. THANK YOU!
I reiterate my comment. I was looking for this quality of information on this subject because I use it in my activities as a freshwater and marine aquaculturist.
Thanks Juan, they are small experiments for children, but we adults are the ones who learn the most from them 🙂
May be a material other than salt
Hello
In the experiment we have used common salt, sodium chloride, NaCl. If it can be another type of salt that also conducts electricity (an electrolyte), such as copper sulphate, or other salts.
Greetings
ice can be used
one question is this experiment related to physics?
My tap water is conductive 😲.
I don't give a shit, the one in my toilet does too.
reference literature please
What happens if my electrical circuit doesn't turn on Please I need your help it's urgent 😭
My students and I have spent several weeks researching and trying to perform this experiment to light a light bulb and it has not worked. I found a video on Youtube where it is explained that it is a fraud, that it is a trick produced with a plasma ball that is kept hidden.
I really don't know what to think anymore. This Science Fair is very important for us, I just ask you to please tell me if it is a fraud or not, and if not why our experiment does not work, we have done it following all the steps, our participation is next week.
For your attention and understanding in advance, thank you in advance.
Hi, it worked for us, and it was really simple. We put a lot of salt in the water, more % than sea water. With tap water it didn't transmit electricity and when we put a lot of salt in it, it turned on. The salt we used was sea salt (cooking salt). I hope I helped you and see if it works for you!
Begoña
Hi! I did it with my fourth grade students, it was a success, it was very simple, I think that maybe you are using a very strong bulb or a very low battery. In my case we used a 25 watt bulb. The glass of water was small and we added a teaspoon of salt and it lit up as soon as the salt was added. You should check the wiring connection.
What type of battery Please specify the name .thanks
Hi, we have used a 4.5V battery. In principle, as it's just a single light, almost any battery will do. Regards 🙂
Holaaaaaa, ojala me respond I urgently need to know which wire is the one that throws bubbles, the positive or negative and if you can explain why I would be very grateful, a simple explanation or the most common, I do not know much chemistry PLEASE it is urgent:)