What is electrolysis ?
If you pass an electric current through an ionic substance that molten or in solution, it breaks down a substance into the elements its made of.
What is the electrolyte ?
A liquid to conduct electricity.
Do electrolytes contain free ions ?
Yes, the ions are usually molten or dissolved ionic substances.
Do free electrons conduct electricity ?
Yes
What are anions ?
Negative ions that move to the positive electrode (anode) and lose electrons.
What are cations ?
Positive ions that move to the negative electrode (cathode) and gain electrons.
How do you carry out electrolysis in an aqueous solution ?
1) Use wires and clips to connect each electrode to the power supply. The electrode connected to the positive pole will be the anode, and the electrode that is connected to the negative pole will be the cathode.
2) You usually inert electrodes (such as platinum or carbon electrodes) so that they dont start reacting and interfering with the electrolysis.
3) Place the electrodes into a beaker containing the electrode, making sure that the electrodes aren’t touching each other.
4) Turn the power supply on
5) Depending on what electrodes you’re using, the products will form as metals (as a thin layer on the surface of the cathode - known as plating), or as gases (as bubbles at the cathode or the anode).
What do half-equation shows ?
The movement of electrons during a reaction.
What will the half equation at the anode show ?
Negative ions losing electrons to form atoms
What will the half equation at the cathode show ?
Positive ions gaining electrons to form atoms
What are the half equations for the electrolysis of molten zinc chloride ?
Anode : 2Cl-(aq) –> Cl2(g) + 2e-
Cathode : Zn2+(l) + 2e- –> Zn(s)
Electrolysis is carried out using lead bromide. Write half-equations to show what will form at each electrode.
In aqueous solutions what do you have because of the water ?
H+ and OH- ions from the water as well as the ions from the ionic compound.
What do the products of the electrode depend on ?
What is the rule at the cathode ?
What is the rule a the anode ?
What metals are less reactive than
hydrogen ?
Gold
Silver
Mercury
Copper
Lead
Tin
Ferum
What metals are more reactive than
hydrogen ?
All of group 1 and 2 metals, and aluminium.
In the purification of copper, the anode is made from impure copper and the cathode is made from pure copper. How are copper ions made ?
At the anode, copper atoms lose electrons and become copper ions, which enter the solution. These ions are then attracted to the cathode where they gain electrons to become copper atoms again and plate the pure copper cathode:
Anode: Cu(s) –> Cu2+(aq) + 2e-
Cathode: Cu2+ + 2e- –> Cu(s)
The pure cathode increases in mass.
The impure anode shrinks.
Why does an ionic substance need to be molten or in solution before you can electrolyse it ?
To conduct electricity it requires a liquid, called an electrolyte. The electrolyte contains free ions, these ions are usually the molten or dissolved ionic substance. The ions conduct the electricity.
Describe how you would set up the equipment for the electrolysis of a solution of aqueous copper sulfate ?
Explain what determines the product formed at the cathode when you electrolyse an aqueous solution ?
What is formed at the anode when a concentrated halide solution is
electrolysed ?
A halogen will be formed
Two carbon electrodes are placed into molten copper chloride and the power supply is turned on.
What would you see happening at the anode ? Explain your answer.
At the anode, you would see bubbles of gas appearing because chloride ions are losing electrons to form chlorine.