Electrolysis

Question 1

What is Electrolysis?

Answer 1

Electrolysis = electro ( electricity) lysis = (splitting)
Electrolysis = breaking up metal/ionic compounds using electricity

Question 2

Why are electrodes made of carbon (graphite)?

Answer 2

The electrodes are made out of graphite as it can conduct electricity, and is inert (unreactive)

Question 3

What states are the electrolytes in + why?

Answer 3

Aqueous or Molten (liquid)
- the compounds cannot move in solid form, so have to be in aqueous or molten state for the ions to be able to move to their respectively charged cathodes

Question 4

What are the characteristics of the anode?

Answer 4

positive
attracts anions (-ve)
Order of reactivity priority(class system analogy)
Upper class: halides
Middle Class: hydroxides
Lower Class: anything else

Question 5

What are the characteristics of the cathode?

Answer 5

negative
attracts cations (+ve)
least reactive substance gets displaced

Question 6

What is the reactivity series?

Answer 6

Please- Potassium (K)
Send- Sodium (Na)
Lions- Lithium (Li)
Cats- Calcium (Ca)
Monkeys- Magnesium (Mg)
And- Aluminium (Al)
Zebras- Zinc (Zn)
Into- Iron (Fe)
Lovely- Lead (Pb)
Hot- Hydrogen (H)
Countries- Carbon (C)
Signed- Silver (Ag)
General- Gold (Au
Penguin- Platinum (Pt)