GCSE Topics 3 and 4 - Electrolysis and metal extraction Flashcards
Metals that are found native
silver, gold and platinum
Metals that are extracted using reduction with carbon
zinc, iron, tin, lead, copper
Least reactive metal
platinum
Metals that are extracted using electrolysis
potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, aluminium
Positive electrode
Anode
Negative electrode
cathode
Symbol equation for aluminium oxide electrolysis
Al2O<span>3</span> ⇒ 2 Al + 1.5 O2
Symbol equation for water electrolysis
2 H2O (l) ⇒ 2 H2 (g) + O2 (g)
Symbol equation for brine electrolysis
2 NaCl (aq) + 2 H2O (l) ⇒ 2 NaOH (aq) + H2 (g) + Cl2 (g)
Symbol equation for the reduction of iron oxide
2 Fe2O3 (s) + 3 C (s) ⇒ 4 Fe (s) + 3 CO2 (g)
Anode product of brine electrolysis, name
chlorine
Cathode product of brine electrolysis, name
hydrogen
Anode product of water electrolysis, name
oxygen
Cathode product of water electrolysis, name
hydrogen
Anode product of aqueous copper sulfate electrolysis, name
oxygen
Cathode product of aqueous copper sulfate electrolysis, name
copper
Anode product of hydrochloric acid electrolysis, name
chlorine
Cathode product of hydrochloric acid electrolysis, name
hydrogen
Anode product of aluminium oxide electrolysis, name
oxygen
Cathode product of aluminium oxide electrolysis, name
aluminium
Anode product of aqueous copper chloride electrolysis, name
chlorine
Cathode product of aqueous copper chloride electrolysis, name
copper
Cathode half equation for water electrolysis
2 H+ (aq) + 2 e- ⇒ H2 (g)
Anode half equation for water electrolysis
4 OH- (aq) ⇒ H2O (l) + O2 (g) + 4 e-
Cathode half equation for aluminium oxide electrolysis
Al3+ + 3 e- ⇒ Al
Anode half equation for aluminium oxide electrolysis
2 O2- ⇒ O2 + 4 e-
Cathode half equation for aqueous copper sulfate electrolysis
Cu2+ (aq) + 2 e- ⇒ Cu (s)
Anode half equation for aqueous copper sulfate electrolysis
4 OH- (aq) ⇒ H2O (l) + O2 (g) + 4 e-
Cathode half equation for aqueous copper chloride electrolysis
Cu2+ (aq) + 2 e- ⇒ Cu (s)
Anode half equation for aqueous copper chloride electrolysis
2 Cl- (aq) ⇒ Cl2 (g)
Test for hydrogen gas and result
Squeeky pop test
Place a lit splint over a test tube. A positive result is a squeeky pop sound.
Test for chlorine gas and result
Damp blue litmus paper
Place a piece of damp blue litmus paper over a test tube. It will turn red and then be bleached white.
The blue litmus turns red because chlorine reacts with water to produce hydrochloric acid.
Test for oxygen gas and result
Glowing splint test
Place a glowing splint over a test tube. It relights in the presence of oxygen.
Electrolysis definition
Decomposition of an electrolyte compound into its elements using electricity from direct current.
Cathode product of aqueous sodium sulfate electrolysis, name
hydrogen
Anode product of aqueous sodium sulfate electrolysis, name
oxygen
Cathode half equation for aqueous sodium sulfate electrolysis
2 H+ (aq) + 2 e- ⇒ H2 (g)
Anode half equation for aqueous sodium sulfate electrolysis
4 OH- (aq) ⇒ H2O (l) + O2 (g) + 4 e-
Cathode product of molten lead bromide electrolysis, name
lead
Anode product of molten lead bromide electrolysis, name
bromine
Substance used to lower the temperature of aluminium oxide electrolysis
cryolite
Conditions for electrolysis of ionic compounds
Molten or aqueous
The ions are not free to move in the solid but are free to move in the molten compound or aqueous solution (NOT NOT delocalised electrons).
Reduction, in terms of electrons
Gain of electrons
Oxidation, in terms of electrons
Loss of electrons
Reaction at the cathode
Reduction
Reaction at the anode
Oxidation
Explanation for loss of mass of the anode in aluminium oxide electrolysis
- The anode is made of graphite (carbon)
- Oxygen gas is produced at the anode
- Oxygen reacts with the electrode in a combustion reaction
- Carbon dioxide gas is produced
- Carbon dioxide escapes
Explanation for gain of mass of the cathode in aqueous copper sulfate electrolysis
- Aqueous copper sulfate contains Cu2+ ions
- The copper ions are reduced
- A layer of copper atoms are formed on the cathode
- The half equation for the reaction is
- Cu2+ (aq) + 2 e- ⇒ Cu (s)
Phytomining
or
Phytoextraction
- Extraction of a metal using plants
- Plants grow on soil with a concentration of metal too low to make a profit from mining
- Plants concentrate the metal in their sap
- The plant is burned to leave ash, the energy produced from this may be used to generate electricity
- The ash is dissolved in water, heated then filtered
- Electrolysis is used. The metal is produced at the cathode.
Explanation of metal reactivity
- Metals are oxidised.
- Metal atoms lose electrons to become cations.
- The more reactive a metal is, the more easily oxidised it is.
- Metals that are resistant to oxidation are less reactive
The four ions present in aqueous sodium chloride (brine)
Na+ , Cl- , H+ , OH-
The three ions present in hydrochloric acid
H+ , Cl- OH-
The four ions present in aqueous copper chloride
H+ , Cu2+ , Cl- , OH-
The four ions present in aqueous copper sulfate
H+ , OH- , SO42-
Copper sulfate solution

Diagram of aluminium oxide electrolysis

Diagram of aqueous sodium chloride electrolysis
