Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide
Okay kiddo, let me explain this to you like you're five. You know how we breathe out carbon dioxide, right? Well, scientists have found a way to take that carbon dioxide and turn it into something else. This is called the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide.
First, they put the carbon dioxide into a device that has two electrodes (kind of like two metal sticks) called a electrochemical cell. One electrode is called the cathode and the other is called the anode.
When electricity is added to the cell, something very cool happens. The carbon dioxide starts to change into something else. The cathode (one of the electrodes) attracts the carbon dioxide and it starts to combine with hydrogen atoms from water (H₂O) to make a new molecule called a hydrocarbon. This is kind of like when you mix paint colors to make a new color.
The hydrocarbon is a useful thing because it can be used to make lots of other things, like fuel for cars or even food! Plus, we're reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the air, which is good for the environment.
So there you have it, kiddo. Scientists are using a device with two electrodes called an electrochemical cell to turn carbon dioxide into a new molecule called hydrocarbon which can be used to make useful things like fuel for cars or even food. And by doing this, we're helping the environment by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the air.
First, they put the carbon dioxide into a device that has two electrodes (kind of like two metal sticks) called a electrochemical cell. One electrode is called the cathode and the other is called the anode.
When electricity is added to the cell, something very cool happens. The carbon dioxide starts to change into something else. The cathode (one of the electrodes) attracts the carbon dioxide and it starts to combine with hydrogen atoms from water (H₂O) to make a new molecule called a hydrocarbon. This is kind of like when you mix paint colors to make a new color.
The hydrocarbon is a useful thing because it can be used to make lots of other things, like fuel for cars or even food! Plus, we're reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the air, which is good for the environment.
So there you have it, kiddo. Scientists are using a device with two electrodes called an electrochemical cell to turn carbon dioxide into a new molecule called hydrocarbon which can be used to make useful things like fuel for cars or even food. And by doing this, we're helping the environment by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the air.
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