Distance of cathode from anode in water electrolysis?

Question

Hi, I am making an electrolysis machine that uses water. I was wondering the distance I should put between the anode and cathode when I am using a 120v lantern battery? Thanks.

Answer 1

HERE IN THIS CASE THE DISTANCE CONNOT BE SPECIFIC.WE DONOT TAKE A DISTANCE WHICH CAN BE MEASURED.MEANS WE DONOT TAKE DISTANCE SPECIFICALLY LIKE 10 cm OR ANY OTHER.WE CAN TAKE APPROXIMATE DISTANCE.THE DISTANCE SHOULD BE SUCH THAT THE REACTION TAKES PLACE PROPERLY.

Answer 2

Likely that may depend upon the strength of the electrolyte that you could increase until you get good results.  It will also depend upon the nature (rod or plate, etc.) and the surface area.  You might also try a variable resistor to control current (up to full 120v).

Answer 3

Within reason, it doesn't make much difference about the distance between the electrodes.  Obviously you've got to leave enough room to include whatever test tubes or devices that you are gong to use to collect the gases, if that is your aim.  

The farther the distance apart the greater will be the internal resistance, but that will be low, and depend on the concentration of the electrolyte.  By the way, the best electrolyte to use is sodium or potassium hydroxide.  That is what is used in commercial "electrolyzers" for hydrogen gas production.

I've never encountered a 120 volt lantern battery.  Are you sure it's not a 12v battery?  That would make a lot more sense.  The voltage applied to the apparatus will determine the amount of current which flows (Ohms' law) and the current will determine the production rate of the gases.