🧂 Electrolysis of brine: virtual chemistry experiment
Chlorine at the anode, hydrogen at the cathode, sodium hydroxide left behind.
▶ Launch this experiment freeRuns in your browser on any phone, tablet or laptop. No sign-up, no install, no chemicals needed.
What you'll do
- Switch the power on
- Test the anode gas with damp blue litmus (bleached = chlorine)
- Notice the indicator turning purple as OH⁻ builds up
The chemistry behind it
2NaCl + 2H₂O → 2NaOH + H₂ + Cl₂ (the chlor-alkali process).
Why do this experiment virtually?
Many school labs can't run this experiment safely or don't have the chemicals. In Faradium you set it up in seconds, repeat it as often as you like, change the amounts and see the real result: colours, gases, precipitates and temperature changes. The lab notebook records every observation with the balanced equation for your write-up.
Frequently asked questions
How do you do the electrolysis of brine experiment?
1. Switch the power on 2. Test the anode gas with damp blue litmus (bleached = chlorine) 3. Notice the indicator turning purple as OH⁻ builds up You can run every step free in the Faradium virtual chemistry lab.
What is the chemistry behind electrolysis of brine?
2NaCl + 2H₂O → 2NaOH + H₂ + Cl₂ (the chlor-alkali process).
Can I do the electrolysis of brine experiment online for free?
Yes. Faradium sets up the bench for you and ticks off each step as you complete it. It runs in any browser on a phone, tablet or laptop with no sign-up and no chemicals.
Chemistry in this experiment
Elements involved: Hydrogen (H), Chlorine (Cl).
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