Why is my sodium chlorate glowing?
I was making some sodium chlorate using https://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?
Discussions
Best Answer 9 years ago
I think you're putting too much current through it, Do you see any boiling water? L
Answer 9 years ago
Also, I remember someone putting mains through a pickle, and it glowing, and they said it was because of the sodium in the salt. Could this be the cause?
Answer 9 years ago
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
Answer 9 years ago
I thought chlorine ions conducted electricity, too...
Answer 9 years ago
Yes chloride too.
L
Answer 9 years ago
I LOVE the glowing pickle!!!!!!1
Answer 9 years ago
I wasn't looking into the bowl, I was scrambling to turn off the AC.
Answer 9 years ago
You've put too much current through this, find a 12/9/6/4.5V supply. L
9 years ago
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.
9 years ago
"Captain, I've given er all tha power she's goit. I think she's gonna blow!"
9 years ago
It's cold fusion, it's going to blow, RUN!
Answer 9 years ago
That would be fun...