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Why is my sodium chlorate glowing?

I was making some sodium chlorate using http://www.instructables.com/id/EGXGY5PF23Z375E/, but instead of using some 9v, i put a bridge rectifier on to my AC power (i live in south Africa so 240v) and the I put what i hope was DC into the salt water, which began to glow and made a noise. Why was it glowing and is there any danger to let it run for 2 hours?

12 answers
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Sep 25, 2009. 12:10 PMlemonie says:
I think you're putting too much current through it, Do you see any boiling water? L
Sep 25, 2009. 12:35 PMlemonie says:
You've put too much current through this, find a 12/9/6/4.5V supply. L
Sep 25, 2009. 12:51 PMlemonie says:
The sodium ions conduct electricity, getting hot and glowing is a feature of the electrical energy being converted to heat (it's a Power=I2 R relationship)

L
Sep 26, 2009. 2:02 PMV-Man737 says:
I LOVE the glowing pickle!!!!!!1
Oct 22, 2009. 8:52 AMBerkin says:
I thought chlorine ions conducted electricity, too...
Oct 22, 2009. 10:59 AMlemonie says:
Yes chloride too.

L
Sep 26, 2009. 11:14 AMseandogue says:
What you're seeing is a chemical effect called chemiluminesence. It is caused by heating the bleach, in this case, as Lemonie points out heating by injecting too much current into the solution.
Sep 25, 2009. 3:12 PMRe-design says:
"Captain, I've given er all tha power she's goit. I think she's gonna blow!"
Sep 25, 2009. 12:28 PMKiteman says:
It's cold fusion, it's going to blow, RUN!

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