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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?
Comments
Best Answer 11 years ago
I think you're putting too much current through it, Do you see any boiling water? L
Answer 11 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 11 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 11 years ago
I thought chlorine ions conducted electricity, too...
Answer 11 years ago
Yes chloride too.
L
Answer 11 years ago
I LOVE the glowing pickle!!!!!!1
Answer 11 years ago
I wasn't looking into the bowl, I was scrambling to turn off the AC.
Answer 11 years ago
You've put too much current through this, find a 12/9/6/4.5V supply. L
11 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.
11 years ago
"Captain, I've given er all tha power she's goit. I think she's gonna blow!"
11 years ago
It's cold fusion, it's going to blow, RUN!
Answer 11 years ago
That would be fun...