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Chemistry > Electrolysis (C4) > Flashcards

Electrolysis (C4) Flashcards

1
Q

What is an electrolyte

A

A liquid or solution that can conduct electricity

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2
Q

What is an electrode

A

A solid that conducts electricity and is submerged in the electrolyte

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3
Q

What is electrolysis

A

The process by which is a substance is split up by using electric current

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4
Q

What happens to positive ions in electrolyte

A

They move towards the cathode (negative electrode) and gain electrons (they are reduced)

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5
Q

What are cations

A

Positive ions

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6
Q

What is a cathode

A

Negative electrode

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7
Q

What are anions

A

Negative ions

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8
Q

What is the anode

A

Positive electrode

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9
Q

What is reduction

A
  • gain of electrons
  • loss of oxygen
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10
Q

What is oxidation

A
  • loss of electrons
  • gain of oxygen
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11
Q

Nitrate symbols

A

NO3-

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12
Q

Sulfate symbols

A

SO4^2-

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13
Q

Carbonate symbols

A

CO3^2-

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14
Q

Ammonium ion symbols

A

NH4^+

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15
Q

Silver ion symbols

A

Ag+

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16
Q

Zinc ion symbols

A

Zn^2+

17
Q

Word equation for electrolysis of aluminium oxide

A

Aluminium oxide — aluminium + oxygen

18
Q

Symbol equation for electrolysis of aluminium oxide

A

2Al2O3 — 4Al + 3O2

19
Q

What happens at negative electrode of electrolysis of aluminium oxide

A
  • aluminium is produced
  • there is a reduction
  • Al^3+ + 3e^- — Al
20
Q

What happens at positive electrode of electrolysis of aluminium oxide

A
  • oxidation
  • oxygen is produced at positive electrode
  • 2O^2- — O2 + 4e^-
21
Q

What is cryolite

A
  • aluminium based compound
  • lower melting point than aluminium oxide
22
Q

What is bauxite

A

Contains aluminium oxide

23
Q

Extraction of metals from ores using electrolysis

A
  1. Aluminium is extracted from the ore by electrolysis
  2. Aluminium oxide has a very high melting temperature so its mixed with cryolite to lower the melting point
  3. The molten mixture contains free ions - so it’ll conduct electricity
  4. The positive aluminium ions are attracted to the negative electrode where they pick up three electrons and turn into neutral aluminium aluminium atoms. These then sink to the bottom of the electrolysis tank
  5. The negative oxygen ions are attracted to the positive electrode where they each lose two electrons. Te neutral oxygen atoms will ten combine to form O2 molecules
24
Q

Why do anodes of electrolysis of aluminium oxide need to be replaced regularly

A
  • they’re made of carbon
  • the react with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide
25
Q

Half equation wen halide isn’t present in aqueous solution

A

4OH- — O2 + 2H2O + 4e-

26
Q

What happens at cathode (hydrogen or metal)

A
  • if metal is more reactive than hydrogen, hydrogen is produced
  • if metal is less reactive than hydrogen, the metal is produced
27
Q

What happens at anode (oxygen or halide)

A
  • if halide is present (group 7), then that is what s produced
  • if halide isn’t present, then oxygen is produced
28
Q

What is brine

A

Seawater or water with salt dissolved in it

29
Q

Reactivity series

A

Potassium
Sodium
Calcium
Magnesium
Aluminium
CARBON
Zinc
iron
tin
lead
HYDROGEN
Copper
Silver
gold
Platinum

30
Q

Difference between solution and molten

A
  • molten is only the metal
  • solution is with water so there are H+ and OH- ions
31
Q

Why is electrolysis of aluminium oxide so expensive

A

Requires a lot of electricity

Chemistry (11 decks)

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