Electrolysis Flashcards
1
Q
What is electrolysis?
A
When electrical current is used to split up ionic substances.
2
Q
What is an electrolyte?
A
A liquid that conducts electricity through the electrical circuit in electrolysis.
It has free ions to move
3
Q
What is an electrode?
A
A solid that conducts electricity and is submerged into the electrolyte to complete the circuit.
4
Q
How does electrolysis work?
A
- Electrodes are placed in the electrolyte.
- The ionic substance moves from one electrode to the other.
- The positive ion moves to the negative cathode and gains electrons and becomes a pure atom/molecule
- The negative ion moves towards the positive anode and loses electrons to become a pure atom/molecule.
5
Q
Reduction takes place at the…
A
Negative Cathode
Positive ions gain the electrons they lost
6
Q
Oxidation takes place at the …
A
Positive Anode
Negative ions lose the electrons they gained
