Chapter 9 Electrolysis

Question 1

Electrolysis

Answer 1

A process which produces a non-spontaneous redox rxn by the passage of electrical E from a power supply through a conducting liquid

Question 2

Electrolytic cell

Answer 2

A cell in which electrolysis occurs

Question 3

Electrolyte

Answer 3

A chemical substance that conducts electric current as a result of dissociation into +ve and -ve charged ions, which migrate towards the -ve (cathode) and +ve terminals of an electric circuit.

Question 4

Cathode

Answer 4

Reduction

Question 5

Anode

Answer 5

Oxidation

Question 6

Non-spontaneous rxn

Answer 6

A reaction which would not normally occur without the application of electrical E. It is the reverse of a spontaneous rxn which produces electrical E.

Question 7

Spontaneous rxn

Answer 7

A rxn which occurs naturally, either in electrochemical cells or when chemicals are mixed directly. The rxn does not need to be driven by an external source of power.

Question 8

Electrochemical series

Answer 8

A list of half-equations, written as reduction rxn, arranged in order so that the strongest oxidising agents are on the top left hand side of the list.

Question 9

Reactive electrode

Answer 9

An electrode which is consumed in an electrochemical cell rxn

Question 10

Electro-chemical cell

Answer 10

A device that converts chemical E into electrical E or vice versa

Question 11

Brine

Answer 11

A concentrated sodium chloride soln

Question 12

Semi-permeable membrane

Answer 12

A membrane that will only allow certain molecules or ions to pass through it

Question 13

Electroplating

Answer 13

Also known as deposition, a process which uses electrolysis to deposit a layer of metal on the surface of another material