C6 Flashcards
What happens to a reaction if reduction takes place?
reduction is the gain of electrons
What happens in a reaction if something is oxidised?
Oxidation is the loss of electrons
What does redox mean?
It means that whenever reduction occurs so must oxidation.
What is the substance that causes something to be oxidised called?
An oxidising agent.
Whenever an oxidising agent occurs what happens to it?
It is reduced - redox
What is electrolysis?
It is the breaking up of a substance using electricity.
What is the substance in electrolysis called and what does it have to be made of?
Electrolyte, has to be liquid or liquid dissolved in water
Why can a solid not be an electrolyte?
Because the ions must be free moving, which is the case in liquids, but in solids the ions are in fixed positions and can not move.
In electrolysis where is the electricity supplied through?
The electrodes
Give an example of an electrode?
Carbon rods
In electrolysis what is the positive terminal called?
Anode
In electrolysis what is the negative terminal called? I
Cathode
What current must the electricity have?
DC direct current
In electrolysis which ions move to which electrode? And why?
Positive ions = cathode
Negative ions = anode
Because ions move to the oppositely charged electrode.
What happens to the negative ions at the anode?
The ions loose extra electrons to become neutral.
In electrolysis what happens to the positive ions at the cathode?
The ions gain enough electrons to neutralise their positive charge so that they become neutral.
What is different about the electrolysis of aqueous solutions?
Ions from the water are also present eg. Hydrogen and hydroxide ions
In the electrolysis of aqueous solutions what is the rule for what happens at the anode?
If a halogen is available it will be formed, but if not the. The hydroxide ion breaks down to release oxygen.
In the electrolysis of aqueous solutions what is the rule for which ion goes to the cathode?
The reactivity series tells you, the least reactive substance is discharged and ions that aren’t discharged remain in the solution.
Does the solution in electrolysis have to be molten?
No, it can be aqueous
Describe the electrolysis of copper chloride.
An electrical current is sent through the electrolyte which causes it to decompose. This starts a flow of charge through the electrolyte. The negative chloride ions attract to the anode and form chlorine gas, the positive copper ions attract to the cathode to form pure copper.
What are the half equations for the electrolysis of CuSO4?
Anode: _ _
4OH === O2 + 2H2O + 4e
cathode: 2+ _
Cu + 2e ==== Cu
At which electrode in electrolysis is the metal always formed?
Cathode - except for Hydrogen
What is the oxidation number of any pure element?
0
What is the oxidation number of hydrogen when it is in a compound without a metal?
+1, with a metal -1
What is the oxidation number of O in a compound? Or with H2 or Na2
-2, -1
What is the oxidation number of alkali metals in compounds?
+1
What is a fuel cell?
An electrical cell that is supplied with a fuel and oxygen, and uses energy from the reaction to produce electricity.
Give an example of a fuel cell?
Hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell.
What type of reaction takes place in a fuel cell and why?
Exothermic, because it takes in energy to break bonds and gives out energy to make new bonds.
What does a hydrogen fuel cell produce?
It uses hydrogen and oxygen to produce water.
Describe how a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell works in terms of a redox reaction?
The H2 attracts to the anode and the O2 attracts to the cathode. At the cathode O2 gains electrons and reacts with water to make OH- ions. This is reduction. The OH- ions in the electrolyte move to the anode and combine with the hydroxide ions to produce H2O + electrons. This oxidation. Electrons then flow through a circuit from anode to cathode which creates an electrical current.
What is the half equation for a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell at the cathode?
O2 + 4e- + 2H2O ==== 4OH-
What is the half equation for the hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell at the anode?
2H2 + 4OH- ===== 4H2O + 4e-
Give 3 advantages of using fuel cells.
More efficient then power stations.
No pollution, only product is water.
Electricity is generated directly from reaction.
Give 2 disadvantages to the use of fuel cells.
Producing H2 uses a lot of energy which could cause pollution.
Often contain poisonous catalysts which will eventually have to be disposed of, time money and environmental issues.
Why are hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells used in spacecrafts?
Lightweight and compact, won’t use up valuable room.
No moving parts which might go wrong
Some product can be used as drinking water.
No waste product to get rid of.
Why is the car industry interested in fuel cells?
Don’t produce conventional pollutants.
Hydrogen can be obtained by decomposing water which is largely available meaning we won’t have to use non-renewable fuels.
What will cause iron to rust?
Both oxygen and water