C6- Electrolysis Flashcards
electrolyte
a liquid, containing free-moving ions, which is broken down by electricity in the process of electrolysis
anode
positive electrode in electrolysis
cathode
negative electrode in electrolysis
inert
unreactive
half equations
an equation that describes reduction (gain of electrons) or oxidation (loss of electrons)
brine
concentration sodium chloride solution
electrolysis
use of an electric current to break down an ionic compound
what happens during electrolysis
- positively charged ions move to the cathode
- negative ions move to the anode
- as opposite charges attract
ionic compound circumstance for electrolysis
- molten or dissolved in water
- end substance more unknown in water
- ions are then free to move and carry their charge to the electrodes
covalent compound circumstance for electrolysis
-react in water to form ions
what happens to the state symbols in the electrolysis of copper bromide
aq —> s + aq
what does ionic substances have high melting points mean
-so it takes a lot of energy to melt them and free the ions to move to the electrodes in electrolysis
why is it more difficult to know what will be formed with ionic compounds in solution
- water also forms ions
- products at each electrode are not always exactly what you expect
which metals are deposited from their aqueous solutions
metals very low in reactivity, below hydrogen
what do you observe at the electrodes when you electrolyse copper bromide
- Cu2+ moves to cathode, copper forming, colour change
- Br- moves to anode, fizzing, giving of gas
why a mixture of aluminium oxide plus cryolite is used
lowers melting point of aluminium oxide, reducing the energy needed to extract aluminium
why the positive electrode has to be replaced at regular intervals in aluminium extraction
they gradually burn away as the oxygen reacts with the hot carbon anodes, forming carbon dioxide gas
why is aluminium expensive
large amounts of energy is used in the extraction process
what can Al2O3 also called
bauxite + cryolite
half equations for electrolysis of aluminium and at which electrodes they form
- Al3+ + 3e- —> Al (cathode)
- 2O2- —> O2 + 4e- (anode)
+ Ions
- ions of elements lower in the reactivity series are easier to discharge
- solutions containing a high reactivity metal, h+ ions discharge instead
- Ions
-if compound is in group 7 it is discharged
if not OH- is discharged
H+, what is formed in electrolysis and the half equation
H2,
2H+ + 2e- —> H2
OH-, what is formed in electrolysis and the half equation
O2,
4OH- - 4e- —> O2 + 2H2O