5.5 - Electrolysis

Question 1

What is electrolysis?

Answer 1

breaking down of a compound using electricity

Question 2

What is the positive electrode called?

Answer 2

anode

Question 3

What is the negative electrode called?

Answer 3

cathode

Question 4

What must the electrodes be made of?

Answer 4

-a conductive solid
-inert (reactive)

Question 5

What is the electrolyte?

Answer 5

the substance to be broken down

Question 6

What are the positive ions called and what electrode are they attracted to?

Answer 6

-cations
-attracted to cathode

Question 7

What are the negative ions called and what electrode are they attracted to?

Answer 7

-anions
-attracted to anode

Question 8

What happens at the anode? M

Answer 8

non-metal ions lose electrons to form molecules

Question 9

What are the observations of magnesium chloride at the anode? M

Answer 9

bubbles of pale green gas

Question 10

What happens at the cathode? M

Answer 10

metal ions gain electrons to form atoms

Question 11

What are the observations of magnesium chloride at the cathode? M

Answer 11

grey solid formed

Question 12

Water molecules dissociate to form…

Answer 12

H+ and OH- ions

Question 13

What forms at the anode if a halide ion is present? M

Answer 13

halogen element

Question 14

What forms at the anode if a halide ion isn’t present? M

Answer 14

oxygen and water

Question 15

What forms at the cathode if the metal is less reactive than hydrogen?

Answer 15

metal element

Question 16

What forms at the cathode if the metal is more reactive than hydrogen?

Answer 16

hydrogen produced