Electrolysis Big Quiz

Question 1

What is electrolysis?

Answer 1

The breaking down of a substance using electricity

Question 2

What does electrolysis occur ?

Answer 2

• electric current is passed trough a molten or dissolved ionic compound (cause it to decompose)
• positive ion in solution move to cathode and gain electrons
• negative compounds in solution move to anode and lose electrons
• as ions gain/lose electrons they become atoms
• they are then discharged from the rest of the solution. (Collected from the electrodes)

Question 3

What is an Aqueous solution?

Answer 3

A solution where the water is the solvent (a liquid where solutes are dissolved in)

Question 4

How many ions the aqueous sulfuric acid (H2SO4) have? Name them.

Answer 4

2-
1) SO
4

2) H+
3) OH-

Question 5

How does electrolysis work in a solution of aqueous sulfuric acid (H2SO4) ?

Answer 5

1) Hydrogen ions (from the water or sulfuric acid) accept electrons from the cathode.

So at the cathode- hydrogen gas is produced.

Formula =

2H+ + 2e- —> H2

2) Hydroxide ions (from water) lose electrons easier than sulfate ions.

So at the anode oxygen is produced.

Formula =

4OH- - 4e- —> O2 + 2H2O