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

  • Thread starter Thread starter shinnsohai
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Electricity
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on generating electricity from salt water using a battery-like setup with two dissimilar metals. The primary focus is on selecting alternative metals to replace copper and zinc, with an emphasis on maximizing efficiency. It is noted that metals with a greater reactivity difference will yield better results. Participants clarify that the electricity is generated from the metals rather than the salt water itself. The conversation highlights that reactivity increases as one moves down the periodic table, suggesting that metals from Groups 3 to 12 may be suitable candidates. Additionally, there is confirmation that the metal donating electrons will carry a negative charge, while the one receiving electrons will have a positive charge. The discussion also addresses the participant's uncertainty about their chemistry knowledge and the appropriateness of the forum section for their inquiry.
shinnsohai
Messages
41
Reaction score
0
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 ??
 
Last edited:
Chemistry news on Phys.org
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
 
Back
Top