Electrolysis glossary Flashcards
electrolytic reaction
non spontaneous redox reaction that requires electricity for it to occur
electrolytic half equation
one of two equations (oxidation or reduction) which describes one half of an electrochemical reaction
molten electrode
melted ionic compound with ions that are free to move and in the liquid state
aqueous electrode
dissolved ionic compound with ions that are free to move and in the aqueous state
anode
positively charged electrode in an electrochemical cell where oxidation occurs
cathode
negatively charged electrode in an electrochemical cell where reduction occurs (remember: don’t electrocute the cat)
overpotential
difference between the calculated potential required and the actual potential required and the actual potential required and the actual potential required to facilitate an electrolytic reaction
Power supply
an electrical device such as a battery or a generator that provides electrical energy to a circuit
standard electrode potential
potential of the half-reaction (reduction) given in volts (V), relative to the standard hydrogen half cell
Coulombs {C}
unit used to measure the amount of electrical charge
Current (I)
rate of flow of electric charge (e-)
Electric charge (Q)
amount of charge (usually measured in Coulombs)
electroplating
application of electrolysis used to coat a substance with a metallic layer
Faraday’s constant (F)
total electric charge of 1 mol of e-, 96500Cmol-1
Amperes (A)
unit measures the amount of current
