General electrolysis principles

Question 1

list other ions formed from the water in the electrolyte

Answer 1

OH¯ and H+ ions

Question 2

what happens at the positive electrode (anode)

Answer 2

• OH¯ and non-metals are attracted to the anode
• either the OH¯ or non-metals will lose ions
• oxygen gas or non-metal will be released
• The product formed depends on which ion loses electrons more readily, with the more reactive ion remaining in solution: reactivity series of anions from most reactive to least reactive; SO₄²‾ → NO₃¯ → OH¯ → Cl¯ → Br¯ → I¯

Question 3

what happens at the negative electrode (cathode)

Answer 3

• H+ and metal ions are formed
• either hydrogen or metal will produced
• if the metal is higher than hydrogen in the reactivity series then hydrogen gas will be produced and bubbles will be seen