Electrochemistry Flashcards
define electrolysis
break down of a compound into its elements using an electric current
3 uses of electrolysis
- extract metals from ores if it cannot be done by heating with carbon
- purify metals
- produce non metals
components of electrolysis setup
- electrolyte: molten form of compound conc aq sol of ions
- 2 electrodoes: metal’graphite rods that conduct electricity to and from the electrolyte
- power supply: direct current
Anode is
Cathosde is
A +
C -
State what happens during electrolysis of molten electrolytes
- cations move to cathode and gain e- ie reduction
- a metal layer/ molten layer may form on cathode
- bubbles if H2
- anions move to anode and lose e- ie oxidation
Ions discharged during electrolysis of aq sols depend on x and y `
- relative electrode potential of ions
- conc of ions (cos H2O, weak electrolyte, splits into H+ and OH-)
what does relative electrode potential of ions describe
how easily its discharged during electrolysis
relate E0 values to relative electrode potential of cations and anions to determine which is discharged
- a positive cation with most positive E0 is discharged at cathode cos its most easily reduced
- a negative anion with most negative E0 is discharged at anode cos its most easily oxidised
relate ion conc to discharge amount
more conc it is, the more of it will form at anode because less hydroxide ions from water are there to be discharged in comparison to what we have
state faraday’s law
amount of substance formed during electrolyis is proportional to:
-time a constant current passes
-electricity that passes through electrolyte (strength of current)
Q=It
what is the faraday unit
amount of electric charge carried by 1 mole of electrons
ie F=Le which is 96500
how to experimentally find the avogadro constant by electrolysis
L=charge on 1mol e-/charge on 1e-
how to find charge on 1mol e- and hence L
Method: pure Cu anode and cathode weighed, variable resistor kept at a constant current, electric current passed for certain time, anode and cathode removed washed w distilled water dried w propanone and reweighed
Result: Cu deposited on cathode so increased in mass, while anode lost mass ie as Cu2+ ions to sol. decreased mass of anode used in calc cos not all solid Cu formed sticks properly to cathode
Calculation: find charge (Q=It) and mass (n=m/M) via proportion to find charge for 1mol to be depositied. use half eqn to know mol of e- for 1 mol of Cu and divide the total charge by this to get charge per mol. divide this by charge of 1e- (formula)
what is electrode potential, and how are the half eqns written
- value that shows how easily a substance is reduced (in the sitch of a redox equilibrium ie related species in diff oxi states)
- electrons to left ie reduction
why do diff species have diff electrode potentials
diff equilibrium positions