C6 Electrolysis Flashcards
Electrolysis
Using electricity to break down electrolytes to form elements
Describe electrolysis in terms of movement of ions
Passing an electric current through electrolytes causes the ions to move to the electrodes
Why electrolysis can only occur when an ionic compound is molten or in aqueous solution
Ionic compounds only conduct electricity when molten or in aqueous solution
Word equation to describe the electrolysis of a molten ionic compound
Ionic compound ——> metal + non-metal
Describe electrolysis with half equations at the electrodes of 2NaCl ——> 2Na + Cl2
Cathode (reduction) - Na+ + e- ——> Na
Anode (oxidation) 2Cl- —–> Cl2 + 2e-
How to predict the products at each electrode for the electrolysis of a molten ionic compound
A metal forms at the cathode and a non-metal forms at the anode
How to explain the classification of the reactions at each electrode as oxidation or reduction
Reduction happens at the negative cathode as this is where positive ions gain electrons
Oxidation happens at the positive anode as this is where negative ions lose electrons
What would be produced at the anode when some solutions are electrolysed
Oxygen
Describe electrolysis of solutions in terms of movement of ions
Positively charged ions move to the negative electrode (the cathode)
Negatively charged ions move to the positive electrode (the anode)
How hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions can be present in solutions
Hydroxide ions float around in solution
Hydrogen ions transferred directly to a neighboring water molecule to form hydronium ions
What can be produced at the anode when some solutions are electrolysed
Hydrogen
Word equation to describe electrolysis of a lead bromide
Lead bromide + electricity → lead + bromine
How can aluminum be extracted from aluminum oxide
Using electrolysis
Describe the electrolysis of aluminium oxide
Positively charged aluminium ions gain electrons from the cathode and form molten aluminium
Oxide ions lose electrons at the anode, and form oxygen molecules
Why electrolysis is used to extract aluminium from compound
The temperatures needed are too high to be economic
Word equation to describe the electrolysis of aluminium oxide
Aluminum oxide ——-> aluminum + oxygen
Why electrolysis is an expensive metal extraction method
Cost of electricity for electrical energy
Specialized equipment can be expensive
Electrode material costs
High temperature requirements
Why extraction of aluminum is expensive
High temperature
Energy intensive
Electrode consuption
Why cryolite is added to aluminium oxide in the industrial extraction of aluminium
Reduces melting point of aluminum oxide from 2050°C to 950°C
Enhances electrical conductivity of molten mixture
Improves fluidity of mixture
State the products of the electrolysis of brine and a use for each
Sodium hydroxide and hydrogen
How to electrolyse brine in terms of ions moving
Sodium and hydrogen ions go to anode
Chlorine and hydroxide ions go to cathode
What are ionic compounds made from
Positive and negative ions