Electrolysis Flashcards
If you pass an electric current through a molten ionic substance or an ionic substance that’s in solution, what happens?
The elements in the ionic substance are split up using electricity, this is electrolysis.
What’s the liquid that conducts the electricity called?
The electrolyte.
Electrolytes contain ____ ___.
Free ions.
The free ions in electrolytes are usually from what?
The ionic substance that’s either molten or in solution.
What do the free ions do?
Conduct the electricity.
For an electric current to be complete, there’s got to be what?
A flow of electrons.
The electrons that are taken away at the _______ electrode (anode) are given to the ions at the ________ electrode (cathode).
Positive (bc electrons are being taken away)
Negative (bc electrons are being given to the ions).
As the ions gain or lose electrons, they become?
Atoms or molecules and and are released.
Electrolysis reactions ALWAYS involve _________ and ________.
OIL RIG.
Reduction & Oxidation
Reduction is?
The gain of electrons.
Oxidation is?
The loss of electrons.
What does a salt do when it’s molten?
It conducts electricity because it contains ions.
Describe the electrolysis of molten lead bromide.
Positive lead ions are attracted to the negative electrode (cathode).
Negative bromine ions are attracted the positive electrode (anode).
Lead produced at the negative electrode because reduction took place because the Pb2+ ions gain 2 electrons to become lead.
Bromine produced at the positive electrode because oxidation took place because the Br- ions lose an electron to become bromine.
