Applications of electrolysis

Question 1

Choosing a molten or aqueous electrolyte?

Answer 1

If a molten electrolyte is used, there is no water to interfere with it but it has higher operating costs as it needs to be kept at a high temperature.

Question 2

Choosing a reactive or unreactive electrode?

Answer 2

If reactive electrodes are used, then they will take part in the reaction if they are the strongest oxidants/reductants. Reactive electrodes will need to be replaced.

Question 3

Define: electroplating

Answer 3

process that uses electrolysis to deposit a layer of metal on another material.

Question 4

How are tin cans made?

Answer 4

Their base of steel is coated in tin by electroplating

Question 5

How does electroplating work?

Answer 5

submerge object in an electrolyte, containing the ion of the electrode.
-metal is at the anode. loses electrons and ions, which go to the object and boom.

Question 6

Why does the concentration stay the same?

Answer 6

ions are consumed in the cathode and produced in the anode.

Question 7

What is the membrane made out of in membran ecells?

Answer 7

Polymer material

Question 8

Purpose of memrbane?

Answer 8

Only allows cations to pass, and enables only some things to react

Question 9

Define: faraday’s first law

Answer 9

the mass of metal produced at the cathode is directly proportional to the electric charge passed through the cell

Question 10

equation for first law?

Answer 10

Q = IT
Q = electric charge in coulombs (C)
I = current in amps (A)
t = time in seconds

Question 11

Equation for second law?

Answer 11

Q= n(e-)xf
f = faraday - charge on one mole of electrons; 96500C

Question 12

Define: faraday’s second law

Answer 12

to produce one mole of a metal, one, two, 3/other whole number ratio of electrons must be consumed