Electrolytic process GCSE Flashcards
What is the process of electrolysis?
Electrolysis is a chemical process that uses electricity to break down compounds into their individual elements.
What are the two electrodes used in electrolysis called?
The two electrodes are called the anode and the cathode.
True or False: The anode is negatively charged.
False: The anode is positively charged.
Fill in the blank: During electrolysis, cations move towards the ______.
cathode
What type of solution is typically used in electrolysis?
An electrolyte solution, which can be ionic or a molten ionic compound.
What occurs at the cathode during electrolysis?
Reduction occurs at the cathode.
What is produced at the anode during the electrolysis of water?
Oxygen gas is produced at the anode.
True or False: Electrolysis can only be performed with liquids.
False: Electrolysis can also be performed with molten solids.
What is the purpose of using a power supply in electrolysis?
The power supply provides the necessary electrical energy to drive the electrolysis process.
Name one application of electrolysis.
Electrolysis is used in electroplating, metal refining, and the production of chlorine gas.
What is the role of the electrolyte in electrolysis?
The electrolyte conducts electricity and allows ions to move between the electrodes.
Fill in the blank: The process of oxidation occurs at the ______.
anode
What is electroplating?
Electroplating is the process of depositing a layer of metal onto a surface using electrolysis.
True or False: Electrolysis can separate elements from a compound.
True
Which ion is attracted to the cathode during electrolysis?
Cations are attracted to the cathode.
What happens to anions during electrolysis?
Anions move towards the anode.
What is the chemical equation for the electrolysis of water?
2H2O(l) → 2H2(g) + O2(g)
Fill in the blank: The process of breaking down compounds into elements using electricity is known as ______.
electrolysis
What is a common electrolyte used in the electrolysis of water?
Sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) or sulfuric acid (H2SO4).
What type of reaction occurs at the cathode?
A reduction reaction occurs at the cathode.
What is the main product of electrolysis of sodium chloride solution?
Chlorine gas, hydrogen gas, and sodium hydroxide.
True or False: The ions in an electrolyte solution can move freely.
True
What is the effect of increasing the voltage during electrolysis?
Increasing the voltage can increase the rate of the reaction.
What occurs at the anode during the electrolysis of sodium chloride solution?
Chlorine gas is produced at the anode.
What is the purpose of using a diaphragm in electrolysis?
A diaphragm separates the products formed at the anode and cathode to prevent them from reacting with each other.
Fill in the blank: The movement of ions towards electrodes during electrolysis is driven by ______.
electrical energy
What is the term for the minimum voltage required to start electrolysis?
This is called the decomposition voltage.
What happens to the concentration of the electrolyte during electrolysis?
The concentration of the electrolyte generally decreases due to the consumption of ions.
What is formed at the cathode during the electrolysis of copper(II) sulfate solution?
Copper metal is deposited at the cathode.
True or False: Electrolysis can only be used for ionic compounds.
False: It can also be used for some polar covalent compounds.
What is a common use of electrolysis in industry?
Electrolysis is commonly used for the extraction of metals from ores.
What is produced at the cathode during the electrolysis of dilute sulfuric acid?
Hydrogen gas is produced at the cathode.
Fill in the blank: In electrolysis, the anode is connected to the ______ terminal of the power supply.
positive
What is the main factor that affects the amount of substance produced at each electrode during electrolysis?
The amount of electric charge passed through the electrolyte.
What is the term for the process of refining metals using electrolysis?
Electrorefining.
What is the main product at the anode during the electrolysis of potassium bromide solution?
Bromine gas is produced at the anode.
True or False: The electrolysis of brine produces hydrogen and chlorine gases.
True
What is the role of water in the electrolysis of aqueous solutions?
Water acts as a solvent and can also participate in the reaction.
What is the purpose of using a salt bridge in electrolysis?
A salt bridge maintains electrical neutrality in the solutions.
What is the equation for the electrolysis of a salt solution?
The specific equation depends on the salt, but generally involves the salt’s dissociation into its constituent ions.
What is the significance of Faraday’s laws of electrolysis?
Faraday’s laws relate the amount of substance produced at an electrode to the amount of electric charge passed through the electrolyte.
What type of current is used in electrolysis?
Direct current (DC) is used in electrolysis.
Fill in the blank: The energy required for electrolysis is provided by ______.
an external power source
What happens to the ions in an ionic compound when dissolved in water?
They dissociate into their respective cations and anions.
What is the effect of temperature on the rate of electrolysis?
Increasing the temperature generally increases the rate of electrolysis.
What is the primary use of electrolysis in the production of aluminum?
Electrolysis is used to extract aluminum from aluminum oxide (bauxite) in the Hall-Héroult process.
