Electrolysis Flashcards
1
Q
Electrolytes
A
Ionic compounds that are molten or dissolved in water, allowing the ions to move freely within the solution/liquid.
2
Q
Electrolysis
A
A process in which electrical energy from a current breaks down electrolytes.
3
Q
Cathode
A
Negatively charged ion
4
Q
Anode
A
Positively charged ion
5
Q
Graphite electrodes
A
- Inert. Provide surface for cathode/anode reactions to occur on
6
Q
Lead(II) Bromide
A
- Cathode: Lead
- Silvery grey liquid when electrolyte is removed
- Anode: Bromide
- Red-brown pungent gas observed
7
Q
Lithium chloride
A
- Cathode: Lithium
- Silvery grey liquid is observed around the electrode
- Anode: Chloride
- Yellow-green pungent gas observed
8
Q
Dilute sulfuric acid
A
- Cathode: Hydrogen
- Colourless gas observed
- Anode: Oxygen
- Colourless gas observed
9
Q
Extraction of Aluminium
A
- Aluminium oxide insoluble in water, so must be molten. Has high melting point, lots of energy required.
- Powdered aluminium oxide is dissolved in molten cryolite. This reduces costs, as it lowers the melting point, lowering energy needed.
- Cathode: Aluminium ions become atoms
- Anode: Oxygen ions lose electrons, form gas.
- Extracting aluminium from its ore is expensive due to energy required. Recycling aluminium uses far less energy and is cheaper than extracting fresh from bauxite.
