A: Chemistry = Chemical Changes 2.5 The Electrolytic Cell Flashcards
What happens to most metals when they react?
They oxidize to produce metal ions
Loss of electrons
What do oxidized metals eventually do?
They return to the earth, reforming ionic compounds
Which two metals do not oxidize as easily as others?
Gold and silver
Why are gold and silver considered valuable?
They resist corrosion and last a long time
What is a cost-effective alternative to using precious metals?
Applying a thin coating of a corrosion-resistant metal
What type of cell is used to apply protective coatings?
Electrolytic cell
What is the definition of an electrolytic cell?
A chemical system in which non-spontaneous oxidation and reduction reactions occur by the application of electrical energy
What is the primary difference between a voltaic cell and an electrolytic cell?
Voltaic cells generate electrical energy, while electrolytic cells require electrical energy
True or False: Gold and silver are reactive metals that oxidize easily.
False
Fill in the blank: The process of metals returning to the earth involves _______.
Reforming ionic compounds
What happens to most metals when they react?
They oxidize to produce metal ions
What do oxidized metals eventually do?
They return to the earth, reforming ionic compounds
Which two metals do not oxidize as easily as others?
Gold and silver
Why are gold and silver considered valuable?
They resist corrosion and last a long time
What is a cost-effective alternative to using precious metals?
Applying a thin coating of a corrosion-resistant metal
What type of cell is used to apply protective coatings?
Electrolytic cell
What is the definition of an electrolytic cell?
A chemical system in which non-spontaneous oxidation and reduction reactions occur by the application of electrical energy
What is the primary difference between a voltaic cell and an electrolytic cell?
Voltaic cells generate electrical energy, while electrolytic cells require electrical energy
True or False: Gold and silver are reactive metals that oxidize easily.
False
Fill in the blank: The process of metals returning to the earth involves _______.
Reforming ionic compounds
What is the primary function of a voltaic cell?
A voltaic cell uses chemical change to produce electrical energy.
Voltaic cells are commonly used in batteries.
What is the primary function of an electrolytic cell?
An electrolytic cell uses electrical energy to produce a chemical change.
Electrolytic cells are often used in processes like electroplating.
What is the key difference between a voltaic cell and an electrolytic cell?
A voltaic cell produces electrical energy from chemical change, while an electrolytic cell uses electrical energy for chemical change.
This difference highlights the distinct applications of each type of cell.
Fill in the blank: A _______ cell uses chemical change to produce electrical energy.
voltaic
Fill in the blank: An _______ cell uses electrical energy to produce a chemical change.
electrolytic
What is the process called that involves depositing a metal at the cathode of an electrolytic cell?
Electroplating
Electroplating is used to create a corrosion-resistant surface by adding a thin layer of less corrosive metal.
What is the role of the external source of electrical energy in electroplating?
It supplies energy to electrons that flow through two electrodes
This flow of electrons is essential for the electroplating process to occur.
In electroplating, what is the object to be coated submerged in?
A solution containing metal ions
The metal ions in the solution are essential for forming the corrosion-resistant surface on the object.
What connects to the object to be coated in an electrolytic cell?
One electrode
The other electrode connects to a second electrode in the conducting solution to complete the circuit.
What type of electrode is used in the next investigation to electroplate copper?
Carbon electrode
The investigation involves building an electrolytic cell to electroplate copper onto a carbon electrode.
Fill in the blank: The process of depositing a metal at the cathode of an electrolytic cell is known as _______.
Electroplating
True or False: Electroplating can only be performed on metals.
False
While electroplating is commonly used for metals, it can technically be applied to other conductive materials as well.
What is the purpose of large-scale industrial electroplating facilities?
To produce metal coatings
These facilities use banks of electrolytic cells for efficient electroplating.
What is the primary function of batteries in relation to oxidation and reduction reactions?
Batteries make use of spontaneous oxidation and reduction reactions to release energy.
What happens to relatively reactive metals in a battery?
They lose electrons to relatively reactive ions.
What is guided through a wire in a battery setup?
The current of electrons.
What is the purpose of the current of electrons in electronic devices?
To capture and use energy.
In electroplating, what is attracted to the negative electrode?
Positive silver ions.
What occurs when silver ions contact the negative electrode?
The ions are reduced to silver metal.
What process does electroplating utilize to force reactions?
It forces non-spontaneous oxidation and reduction reactions to occur.
What is used to remove electrons from the metal at the anode in electroplating?
Energy.
Where are the electrons transferred during electroplating?
To metal ions within the electrolyte near the cathode.
What is oxidized in the electroplating process?
The silver metal.
What is released when silver metal is oxidized?
Silver ions.
Fill in the blank: Electroplating forces _______ oxidation and reduction reactions.
non-spontaneous.
True or False: Electroplating can utilize spontaneous reactions.
False.
What is one use of electrolytic cells?
Refining metals
Electrolytic cells are used to purify metals through electrolysis.
Electrolysis is a process used for what?
Refining metals and producing non-metals
Electrolysis involves using electrical energy to drive a chemical reaction.
Fill in the blank: Electrolytic cells can produce _______ gas.
chlorine
Chlorine gas can be produced through the electrolysis of certain solutions.
True or False: Electrolytic cells are limited to purifying metals.
False
Electrolytic cells can also be used to produce non-metals.
What type of molecule is involved in electrolysis?
Hydroelectric molecule
This refers to the water molecules that can be split during the process.
What is the primary function of electrolytic cells in metal refining?
To purify metals
The process separates impurities from the desired metal.
Fill in the blank: Electrolytic cells can also be used to produce _______ from solutions.
non-metals
This includes substances like chlorine and others.
What are electrolytic cells primarily used for?
Purifying metals and producing non-metals
They serve multiple functions beyond just metal refining.
What type of reactions require electrical energy to occur?
Non-spontaneous reactions
Non-spontaneous reactions do not occur naturally and need an external source of energy.
What is the purpose of electrolytic cells?
They make use of non-spontaneous oxidation and reduction reactions
Electrolytic cells facilitate reactions that would not happen without the input of electrical energy.
What is electroplating?
A process where you reduce metal atoms onto an object acting as an electrode
This process provides an outer protective layer of metal to the object.
What is an example of electroplating?
The Canadian penny
Since 1997, the Canadian penny has been made with a small percentage of copper plated over less-expensive metals.
What are two additional uses of electrolytic cells?
- Purifying metals from their ores
- Removing elements from compounds to produce gases
These applications highlight the versatility of electrolytic cells in chemical processes.
