Electrochemistry Flashcards
What is electrochemistry
Electrochemistry is the study of electrochemical reactions. These reactions occur through the use of electricity or they produce electricity.
What are conductors?
Conductors are materials that allow the flow of electricity through them. Such as Metals, Molten or aqueous ionic compounds, graphite, acids and alkalis
What are insulators?
Insulators are materials that resist the flow of electricity through them. Such as: plastic, covalent compounds,, solid ionic compounds.
What is metallic conduction?
Metallic conduction can be described in this way: The metallic bonds in a metal are tightly packed in a regular way and so the valence electrons are lost and no longer belong to any atom in particular, as a result, they are free and mobile and can thus act as charge carriers in order to conduct electricity. When a power supply is attached to the metal the charged electrons move in one direction. An electrical current is flowing.
What is Electrolytic Conduction?
In a solid ionic compound, there are positive and negative ions that are rigidly held together by electrostatic attraction. However, when molten or dissolved the ions become free and mobile able to move about randomly, but when a power supply is attached the ions move in the same direction. An electrical current is flowing.
State three differences in metallic conduction and electrolytic conduction.
Metal 1) Mobile electrons carry the electricity through the metal. 2)Conduction can happen in both the liquid and solid state.
3)The metal is unchanged chemically.
Electrolytic- 1) Mobile Electrons carry the electric current through the electrolyte.
2) Only takes place in the liquid state
3) Substance is decomposed
