Can You Generate Electricity from Saltwater and Which Metals Should You Use?

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    Electricity
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around generating electricity from saltwater using different metal combinations in a battery-like setup. Participants explore the types of metals that can be used, their reactivity, and the implications for efficiency and longevity in the experiment.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about the choice of metals to replace copper and zinc, questioning how to determine the most efficient combination.
  • Another participant confirms that the setup involves creating a battery with two dissimilar metals immersed in saltwater.
  • A claim is made that metals with the greatest reactivity difference will be the most effective for generating electricity.
  • Participants discuss the reactivity of metals, noting that reactivity increases as one moves down a group in the periodic table, which affects electron transfer.
  • There is a clarification that electricity is produced from the metals rather than the saltwater itself.
  • Questions arise about the roles of the metals in terms of electron donation and acceptance, with one participant confirming the correctness of these roles.
  • One participant questions the existence of a "Group 12" in the periodic table, indicating some uncertainty about the classification of metals.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the basic principles of using dissimilar metals in saltwater to generate electricity, but there are uncertainties regarding specific metal choices and classifications within the periodic table.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the periodic table and metal reactivity are not fully resolved, and there is a lack of clarity regarding the classification of metals in groups.

shinnsohai
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There's a confusion before I proceed to the experiment of "Generate electricity out of Salt water"

-The variation types of metal that I can choose for replacing "Copper" and "Zinc" from the periodic table. How do I determine which combination will ends up with the maximum efficiency?
-How long the metal will last to be effective (While I am replacing the electrolytes)

(This could be a dumb question due to, I am having no Chemistry knowledge)Uhmm guys? I am in the correct section?
Is this to be in the Chemistry section ??
 
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You are trying to build a battery? Two dissimilar metals immersed in salt water?
 
Nugatory said:
You are trying to build a battery? Two dissimilar metals immersed in salt water?
Ya~
Its a battery :-p
 
shinnsohai said:
How do I determine which combination will ends up with the maximum efficiency?

The metals with the greatest reactivity difference will be the most effective for this work
 
shinnsohai said:
There's a confusion before I proceed to the experiment of "Generate electricity out of Salt water"

shinnsohai said:
Ya~
Its a battery :-p

It is not producing electricity from the salt water, but from metals.
 
Borek said:
It is not producing electricity from the salt water, but from metals.

Whoops thanks for correcting :-p
 
adjacent said:
The metals with the greatest reactivity difference will be the most effective for this work

So I'll just have to choose metal from Group 3 to Group 12 ?(Of course with the availability to brought it in market)

DOWN a Group: In METALS reactivity INCREASES as you go DOWN a Group because the farther down a Group of metals you go, the easier it is for electrons to be given or taken away, resulting in higher reactivity.

So the metal that located at lower position in the periodic table will eventually easier to give out electron and the one which located at high will receive electron
(The one who give out electron will be -ve ?)
(The one who receive electron will be +ve?)
Am I Right??
 
shinnsohai said:
So I'll just have to choose metal from Group 3 to Group 12 ?
I'm not sure what you mean here. Is there a group 12? :eek:

shinnsohai said:
(The one who give out electron will be -ve ?)
(The one who receive electron will be +ve?)
Am I Right??
Yes. You are right
 

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