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What do I need to create water with negatively charged ions?

Started Jan 8, 2022 | Questions thread
petrochemist Veteran Member • Posts: 3,619
Re: What do I need to create water with negatively charged ions?

Darkmatterx76 wrote:

Hi, I'd like to do some photography using completely clear ice, as well as to photograph the unique seam pattern that shows up when the ice starts to warm and melt.

I know I need to send an electrical current through a metal plate at the bottom of the water that I'm freezing, but I don't know how much current I need, or how to set it up so it makes the ions negatively charged.

I know, electricity and water.... yay!

Thanks!

Water always contains negative ions. Without any applied fields or contaminants pure water will self dissociate to give traces of H+ & OH- ions. (At pH7 these will be equal in concentrations). Impurities in your water will usually increase the number of ions available (salt does this very readily) but I'm not sure if this will help - dissolved salt certainly reduces the freezing point of water.

Any current at all (even just microamps) will cause the ions to move, it is the movement of ions that gives rise to current. The negative ion swill move towards the positive electrode, how much current will be needed for your desired outcome I haven't a clue as I've never heard of using electrical fields to keep ice clear.

I've always heard to get clear ice you must cool it slowly.

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