Electrolysis Flashcards
What is electrolysis?
The process of breaking down ionic compounds into their elements, using electricity
What conditions are required for electrolysis to occur?
The ionic compound must be molten or aqueous so that ions can move freely
What happens when an electric current is passed to an electrolyte?
The compound splits into its elements, with ions moving to the electrodes
What is an electrolyte?
A substance that breaks down during electrolysis, such as ionic compounds, like sodium chloride or covalent compounds like water
What are the key components of an electrolytic cell?
An energy source, two electrodes (anode and cathode) and an ionic compound
What is the anode?
The positive electrode that attracts negatively charge ions (anions)
What is the cathode?
The negative electrodes that attracts positive positively charged ions (cations)
What happens at the cathode?
Reduction - positive ions gain electrons and are reduced
What happens at the anode?
Oxidation - negative ions lose electrons and are oxidized
What mnemonic helps remember oxidation and reduction?
OIL RIG - Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain (of electrons)
What are the products of electrolysis of molten lead bromide?
Lead at the cat food and bromine at the anode
What happens during electrolysis of dilute sulfuric acid?
Hydrogen is formed at the cathode and oxygen at the anode
What is electroplating?
Coating an object with a thin layer of metal using electrolysis
How is electrolysis used in metal extraction?
It extract highly reactive metals above carbon in the reactivity series, like aluminum from bauxite ore
What is electro refining?
Using electrolysis to purify metals like copper
What happens in electrolysis of copper chloride?
Copper forms at the cat food and chlorine gas is released at the anode
What determines which substance forms at the electrodes?
The reactivity of the ions in an electrolyte
What are the products of the electrolysis of brine (sodium chloride solution)?
Chlorine gas (anode), hydrogen gas (cathode), and sodium hydroxide in solution
