Power from Water – How to produce oxygen and hydrogen on the Moon
Brief description:In this set of three activities, students will learn about electrochemistry.
In the first activity, they will build a voltaic pile – a simple battery. This invention marked the beginning of electrochemistry.
Students will then study electrolysis. Electrolysis uses electric current to split water into its components: hydrogen and oxygen. These products can be used as propellants for spacecraft and/or to provide oxygen to support a crew.
In the last activity, students examine and use a fuel cell.
Learning Objectives
Age range:
14 – 16 years old
Time
Preparation: 1 hour
Lesson: 2 hours
Lesson: 2 hours
Resource available in:
Activity 1: Build your own battery
In this activity, students will construct a voltaic pile – a simple battery – from metal plates, dishcloth and vinegar. A voltaic pile uses a spontaneous chemical reaction to create electricity.
Equipment
Activity 2: Electrolysis
In this activity, students will build an electrolyser: a device that introduces an electric current into a liquid using two electrodes. They will use the device for water electrolysis and discover that it is possible to split water into its components: oxygen and hydrogen.
Equipment
Activity 3: Fuel cell
In this activity, students will use the products of water electrolysis (H2 and O2) in a fuel cell. They will investigate how fuel cells produce electricity and heat from a chemical reaction. Students will consider the possibilities and limitations of fuel cells for Moon exploration.
Equipment
Did you know?
Electrolysis of water is the main method of generating oxygen on board the International Space Station (ISS). Water is collected from urine, wastewater, and condensation and split into oxygen and hydrogen in the Oxygen Generation System (OGS).
The station’s football-field-sized solar arrays are the power source. A similar system could be used on the Moon.
The station’s football-field-sized solar arrays are the power source. A similar system could be used on the Moon.
The ISS orbiting Earth
AstroFood – Learning about edible plants in Space
Brief description: In this set of activities, students will learn about the different components of plants. They will learn which parts of plants are edible
Moon Rover – Building a solar powered rover
Brief description: In this activity, students will compare the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy sources and non-renewable energy sources and study simple electrical circuits.
AstroFarmer – Learning about conditions for plant growth
Brief description: In this set of six activities, students will investigate which factors affect plant growth, and relate these factors to growing plants in space.
