Rather than saying it is an electrolysis array, it is a constant direct current generator. The array can convert magic into electric current and conduct it through the wires arranged around the array.
To activate this magic circle, a mage of level 1 or above is required to continuously provide magic power, or two standard magic stones are required to provide energy.
This is not a magic circle created by Lord Cornwall Penzance, but was invented earlier by a mage named Alessandro Como. He applied for a patent for it, but due to his early death, So the patent has long been open to use.
A curious mage replaced the wires with other metal materials and found that when the current became stronger, the wires would also glow and heat. With this, he made a gadget for lighting, which was used by some upper-class nobles. was quite popular, but of course, that’s another story.
At this time, the three people in the laboratory were all staring closely at the wires inserted into the inverted conduit. Where they could not see, the current was rushing through the wires like a rushing river. They came into contact with the water and the energy was scattered. , leveraging some deeper structure.
All this is reflected in the macroscopic view, that is, on the electrode, a tiny bubble emerges from the electrode.
This is just a small bubble, undetectable, but extremely conspicuous in the inverted test tube.
Claire held her breath and watched all this with wide eyes.
The bubbles gradually increased, displacing the water in the test tube, and the amount of gas produced by the electrodes on both sides was obviously different. When the water at one end was almost exhausted, there was still nearly half of the water in the test tube at the other end.
At this time, Reiner signaled to stop the experiment.
Now in front of them were two test tubes that seemed empty, but everyone knew that there was some kind of gas inside.
And according to the weighing, the mass of water in the sink has indeed become less.
Reiner's hypothesis is becoming reality step by step.
"First of all, let's clarify our current thinking. Water does become two gases after being decomposed by electric current. There should be no problem with this conclusion, right?"
After confirming with the two ladies, Reiner was quite excited at this time.
Since water can be decomposed, it means that this is not some magical element, but a real compound. If the properties of these two gases can be verified in the next step, it means that Reiner's conjecture is correct, at least at the level that is currently accessible. , the common sense of chemistry he possesses on earth is still valid in this world.
"That's true, but it could also be water vapor. You know, electric current is similar to flame and can cause objects to change."
Claire made an opinion. Right now, she was not focused on whether the basic element water could really be decomposed or whether the past theories were correct. She just wanted to verify the composition of these gases as soon as possible.
"Then let's verify the properties of these gases."
Reiner first picked up the gas released by the positive electrode, which was smaller.
Claire cast an identification spell that could distinguish three states of water, but when she got feedback, the teacher was stunned.
"It's not water vapor... or even a known substance?"
If this conclusion didn't come from her own identification skills, Claire would definitely think it was some kind of hallucination.
"Would it be a fire-retardant gas?"
Lehner asked. The flame-retardant gas he was talking about was carbon dioxide produced by calcining limestone, but he just gave it this name temporarily.
Of course he remembered that in the water electrolysis experiment, what was released by the positive electrode should be oxygen, but Reiner still needed conclusive evidence, so he decided to verify it first.
Xia Luo stared at the test tube and remained silent.
"Come and give it a try."
He lit a match and blew it out, leaving only sparks. He released his fingers that sealed the test tube and inserted the match into the mouth of the test tube.
For just a moment, the extinguished embers burned again, emitting a dazzling and bright light, but it only lasted for a moment before the match returned to its original extinguished state.
"It seems that this gas is the opposite of flame-retardant gas and can help combustion. It is temporarily named combustion-supporting gas."
While summarizing, Reiner recorded the observed phenomena in his notebook.
"This is similar to the feeling of the fire element."
Charlotte mentioned, causing Claire to come back from her thoughts.
"Yes, it can make extinguished embers burn again. Is this the essence of the fire element?"
Claire exclaimed as another excitement welled up in her heart.
For many years, although there have been theories of the four basic elements, unlike running water and earth, the fire element has never been able to find an entity, or it is impossible to find a stable entity that can be studied. If this special gas is the fire element, then alchemy The theory can undoubtedly advance for decades more.
"Really? Then we can measure the mass of these gases later. According to the latest speculation in "Alchemy", the fire element should have negative mass."
"Negative mass?"
Claire was a little confused. Naturally, she had not read the latest paper, and the concept of negative mass was too bizarre. Even if she was told that it was proposed by academic masters in "Alchemy", Claire could not believe it for a moment.
"The gas here seems to be used up. Let's take a look at the properties of the gas in another test tube."
Reiner said, and also asked Claire to cast the identification technique, but still got the result of unknown gas.
"If the gas just now is the element of fire, then the gas here should be ash gas that has lost the element of fire and cannot burn. According to theory, is this correct?"
Claire thought for a moment before nodding in confirmation.
"Then let's use an open flame to verify it."
Reiner also struck a match and carefully brought it close to the mouth of the test tube that was tilted downward. He released his thumb holding the test tube and let the flame get closer.
puff-
To Claire and Charlotte's surprise, the flame did not go out, nor did it burn more intensely. Only a slight sound came from the test tube, echoing in the quiet laboratory.
"How is this going?"
Claire was completely confused. Obviously, the nature of this gas was different from that of flame-retardant gas, and it was not a combustion-supporting gas. It was the third type of gas.
Two brand new substances are obtained by electrolyzing water!
The discovery of one brand-new substance alone is enough to publish a paper worthy of being published in "Alchemy", let alone the discovery of two substances at the same time. Moreover, these two substances are still called "basic elements" and cannot be broken down. Got it in the water!
Feeling difficulty breathing, Claire fell down on the chair. Fortunately, Reiner's previous actions had already loosened her consciousness. Otherwise, Claire might have been fainted by the magic power on the spot due to this huge impact, even like those ancient mages. Brain explosion!
Then, as if to be the end of the experiment, Reiner brought the test tube containing the gas that made the explosive sound in front of Claire and Charlotte.
The two of them opened their eyes wide and clearly saw a few small crystal water drops inside the test tube.