Electricity & Saltwater

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Clunde
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Electricity & Saltwater

Post by Clunde »

Why does saltwater start changing colour when an electrical current goes through it for an extended period of time?
khufker
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Re: Electricity & Saltwater

Post by khufker »

I'm not entirely sure, but could it have something to do with the metal corroding? I'm assuming that you are using something like alligator clips and a power source to supply the electricity. How long has the current been going through the saltwater?
Katie
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Re: Electricity & Saltwater

Post by dpututor »

Hello!
Did the liquid turn a dark green color? If so, this could be caused by the oxidation of the metal on your alligator clip! I found a presentation online where a student tested whether or not there was a color change in liquids with high salt concentrations, and his salt water and "saltier" water (double the concentration of salt than in salt water) turned a dark green color after exposed to electrical current.

Lily
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