How to Colonize an Asteroid
This has been a very simple demonstration of the principles of electrolysis. For more information about the process, see {R.44.169} or a good high school chemistry text book.
You will probably find that the cell which has the positive voltage applied does not generate half as much oxygen as there is hydrogen on the negative side. This is primarily because the copper wire will oxidize (or "rust") very quickly in the presence of oxygen and won't make very good contact with the carbon rod. How would you go about making a better cell?
The process described here does takes a long time to produce a useful amount of hydrogen or oxygen. What would be the best way to scale the process up? DANGER!!!! Hydrogen is an extremely explosive gas! Don't try making large quantities or you will blow yourself up! (Remember the Hindenburg?)
Are there better materials to use for the electrodes?
(You don't have to send me the answers to these questions - I know the answers, but I'm encouraging you to think... :)