5. Electricity & Chemistry / 6. Chemical Energetics Flashcards
What happens to a molten ionic compound when a current is passed through it?
When an electric current is passed through a molten ionic compound the compound decomposes or breaks down
In what forms can an ionic compound undergo electrolysis? Why?
- in a molten state
- in an aqueos state
Ionic compounds in the solid state cannot conduct electricity either since they have no free ions that can move and carry the charge
Why can covalent compounds not undergo electrolysis?
Covalent compounds cannot conduct electricity hence they do not undergo electrolysis
Electrode definition
Electrode is a rod of metal or graphite through which an electric current flows into or out of an electrolyte
Electrolyte definition
Electrolyte is the ionic compound in molten or dissolved solution that conducts the electricity
Anode definition
Anode is the positive electrode of an electrolysis cell
Anion definition
Anion is a negatively charged ion which is attracted to the anode
Cathode definition
Cathode is the negative electrode of an electrolysis cell
Cation definition
Cation is a positively charged ion which is attracted to the cathode
How would you set up the equipment for the electrolysis of lead (III) bromide)
Add lead (II) bromide into a beaker and heat so it will turn molten, allowing ions to be free to move and conduct an electric charge
Add two graphite rods as the electrodes and connect this to a power pack or battery
Turn on power pack or battery and allow electrolysis to take place
What happens at the anode during the electrolysis of lead (III) bromide?
Negative bromide ions move to the positive electrode (anode) and lose two electrons to form bromine molecules. There is bubbling at the anode as brown bromine gas is given off
What happens at the cathode during the electrolysis of lead (III) bromide?
Positive lead ions move to the negative electrode (cathode) and gain electrons to form a grey lead metal which deposits on the surface of the electrode
Half equation for anode
electrolysis of lead (III) bromide
2Br- —> Br2 + 2e-
Half equation for cathode
electrolysis of lead (III) bromide
Pb2+ + 2e- —> Pb
When using an aqueos solution, what needs to be taken into account?
Aqueous solutions will always have water (H2O)
H+ and OH– ions from the water are involved as well
To which electrode are OH- ions attracted?
OH– ions and non-metal ions (anions) are attracted to the positive electrode
What will be formed at the anode? (electrolysis of an aqueos solution)
Either OH– or non-metal ions will lose electrons and oxygen gas or gas of non-metal in question is released, eg. chlorine, bromine, nitrogen
What is the rule for deciding what non-metal will be formed at the anode? (electrolysis of an aqueos solution)
The product formed depends on which ion loses electrons more readily, with the more reactive ion remaining in solution
What is the reactivity series for anions?
More reactive → SO42- → NO3- → OH- → Cl- → Br- → I- Less reactive
What will form at the cathode? (electrolysis of an aqueos solution)
H+ and metal ions attracted to the negative electrode but only one will gain electrons
Either hydrogen or metal will be produced
What is the rule for deciding what will be formed at the cathode? (electrolysis of an aqueos solution)
If the metal is above hydrogen in reactivity series, then hydrogen will be produced and bubbling will be seen at the cathode
What factor (apart from reactivity) also influences the products of the electrolysis of an aqueos solution?
Concentrated and dilute solutions of the same compound give different products
What is the rule for which anion will be produced in a concentrated solution?
For anions, the more concentrated ion will tend to be produced over a more dilute ion
In the electrolysis of a molten compound, what will be produced at the cathode and the anode?
cathode - metal
anode - non-metal
How can you determine that hydrogen was produced at the cathode?
If the gas produced at the cathode burns with a ‘pop’ when a sample is lit with a lighted splint then the gas is hydrogen
How can you determine that oxygen was produced at the anode?
If the gas produced at the anode relights a glowing splint dipped into a sample of the gas then the gas is oxygen
What colour is bromine gas?
red-brown
What colour is chlorine gas?
yellow-green
What colour is fluorine gas?
pale yellow
How would you set up the equipment for copper refining?
In the set-up, the impure metal is always the anode, in this case the impure copper
The cathode is a thin sheet of pure copper
The electrolyte used is an aqueous solution of a soluble salt of the pure metal at the anode, e.g: CuSO4
Why is electrolysis used to purify metals?
Electrolysis can be used to purify metals by separating them from their impurities
What happens to copper atoms during copper refining?
Copper atoms at the anode lose electrons, go into solution as ions and are attracted to the cathode where they gain electrons and form now purified copper atoms
What happens to the anode during copper refining?
The anode thus becomes thinner due to loss of atoms and the impurities fall to the bottom of the cell as sludge
What happens to the cathode during copper refining?
The cathode gradually becomes thicker
Where do electrons move during electrolysis?
During electrolysis the electrons move from the power supply towards the cathode
Where do positive ions move during electrolysis?
Positive ions within the electrolyte move towards the negatively charged electrode which is the cathode
What happens to positive ions at the cathode?
Here they accept electrons from the cathode and either a metal or hydrogen gas is produced
Where do negative ions move during electrolysis?
Negative ions within the electrolyte move towards the positively charged electrode which is the anode
What happens to negative ions at the anode, if it is inert?
If the anode is inert (such as graphite or platinum), the ions lose electrons to the anode and form a nonmetal or oxygen gas
What happens to negative ions at the anode, if it is reactive?
If the anode is a reactive metal, then the metal atoms of the anode lose electrons and go into solution as ions, thinning the anode
What is an electrochemical cell a source of?
An electrochemical cell is a source of electrical energy
What is the simple design of an electrochemical cell?
The simplest design consists of two electrodes made from metals of different reactivity immersed in an electrolyte and connected to an external circuit
How does an electrochemical cell work, using zinc and copper as an example?
Zinc is the more reactive metal and forms ions more easily, releasing electrons as its atoms form ions
The electrons give the more reactive electrode a negative charge and they then flow around the circuit to the copper electrode
What causes a voltage to be produced by an electrochemical cell?
The difference in the ability of the electrodes to release electrons causes a voltage to be produced
What is the correlation between the reactivity of a metal and the voltage produced? (electrochemical cell)
The greater the difference in the metal’s reactivity, the greater the voltage
Electroplating definition
Electroplating is a process where the surface of one metal is coated with a layer of a different metal
What is the rule when deciding which metal is used to coat the other one? (electroplating)
The metal being used to coat is a less reactive metal than the one it is covering
What is the basic setup of equipment for electroplating?
The anode is made from the pure metal used to coat
The cathode is the object to be electroplated
The electrolyte is an aqueous solution of a soluble salt of the pure metal at the anode
What are 2 uses of electroplating?
Electroplating is done to make metals more resistant to corrosion or damage, e.g: chromium and nickel plating
It is also done to improve the appearance of metals, e.g: silver plating cutlery
Conductor definition
Conductors of electricity allow electrical charge to pass through them easily