Most Difficult Topics Flashcards
Which ions do anodes attract?
Anions
Which ions do cathodes attract?
Cations
What is the electrolyte in electrolysis
The substance that the electrolysis is done on
Define the term reduction
When a substance gains electrons
Define the term oxidation
When a substance loses electrons
Which reaction happens at the anode?
Oxidation
Which reaction happens at the cathode?
Reduction
What is the overall reaction for the extraction of iron?
2Fe2O3 + 3C -> 3CO2 + 4Fe
What happens when C reacts with O2
It increases the temperature to 2000C and forms CO2
CO2 + C ->
2CO
3CO + Fe2O3 ->
2Fe + 3CO2
What is the main impurity of hematite
SiO2 (sand)
Which chemical is used to remove SiO2 from iron?
CaCO3 (limestone)
What is the first step?
CaCO3 -> CaO + CO2
CaO + SiO2 ->
CaSiO3
How is CaSiO3 removed from iron?
The molten iron sinks to the bottom due to being more dense than CaSiO3, so the Fe can be removed with a tap.
What is CaSiO3 used for?
Road surfacing
Why can Al not be extracted by carbon reduction (displacement)?
It is more reactive than carbon
Which material are the electrodes made of in the electrolysis of Aluminium
Graphite
What is produced at the anode in electrolysis of Aluminium?
Oxygen
What is produced at the cathode in electrolysis of Aluminium?
Aluminium
Why do anodes need to be replaced over time?
At the hot temperature required to melt Al, oxygen reacts with graphite, making CO2, and eroding the anode.
What is one use of aluminium?
Making Planes
What do the electrodes look like in the industrial electrolysis of aluminium?
Anodes are attached to the same cell, many of them at the same time. The cathode is the chamber itself.
Extraction of Aluminium is bad for the environment. What is used to lower the energy demand?
Cryolite (Na3AlF6)
(Sodium, Aluminium, Flouride)
How does Cryolite reduce the energy demand?
It has ions with lower magnitude of charge, that decrease the melting point of the electrolyte when mixed into it. (It also doesn’t react with electrodes btw)
What is the reactivity series for metals (and also C and H)?
K, Na, Li, Ca, Al, C, Zn, Fe, H, Cu, Ag, Au
How are the elements less reactive than C extracted?
Carbon reduction
Which ions react with dilute acids?
The ones that are more reactive than H
If there are 2 cations in a solution, which one reacts with the cathode?
The less reactive one (going from ion to metal has a reverse reactivity series)
If there are 2 anions in a solution, which one reacts with the anode?
The less reactive one
What is the full reactivity series of anions for losing electrons (going back to metal state)?
Least likely to: CO3(2-), NO3-, SO4(2-)
OH-
Cl-
Br-
Most likely to: I-
Example: If NaCl (aq) is electrolysed, what is formed at the anode and cathode?
H2 at the cathode
Cl2 at the anode
If NaCl (aq) is electrolysed, what is the remaining solution
NaOH (base)
What happens if OH- is oxidised at an anode?
2OH- - 4e- -> O2 + 2H+ (possible to figure this out, but easier to remember)
(Solubility Rules)
Group 1 compounds are always ______
Soluble
Nitrate compounds are always ______
Soluble
Chloride compounds are _______ except for ________
soluble, except with Pb2+ and Ag+
Sulfate compounds are _________ except for _______
soluble, except with Ba2+, Ca2+, Pb2+
Carbonate compounds are ________
except for ________
insoluble, except with group 1 ions
Hydroxide compounds are ________
except for ________
insoluble, except with gp1, Calcium, and ammonium ions
How does Temperature affect position of equilibrium and why?
-Increases both rates of reaction
-Endothermic needs more Ea
-Endothermic is increased more
-Position shifts towards endothermic reaction
Pressure only affects the rate of reactions involving _____
gases
How and why does pressure affect the position of equilibirium?
Position shifts to the side with fewer moles of gas, as the side with more moles of gas will see a greater increase in reaction rate.
Catalysts do not change the position of equilibrium. Why are they used in reversible reactions?
They decrease the time it takes to reach equilibrium by speeding up both reactions equally
What is the first step of the contact process?
S + O2 -> SO2
What is the second step of the contact process?
2SO2 + O2 <=> 2SO3
Is the forward reaction for the second step of the Contact Process exothermic or endothermic?
Exothermic
What is the overall reaction for the last 3 steps of the Contact Process (this reaction does not actually happen, but is considered for equilibrium questions)
SO3 + H2O -> H2SO4
What are the optimum conditions for the Contact Process?
Temperature: Low
Pressure: High
Catalyst: Powdered V2O5 (powder used for increased surface area of catalyst)
What is the actual temperature used in the Contact Process?
400 Celsius is used
High Temp would produce low yield with a fast rate
Low Temp would produce high yield with a slow rate
Medium temperature is used to get the benefits of both
What is the actual pressure used in the Contact Process?
1-2Atm (Low)
Contact Process yield, even at a low pressure is over 99%, so it is not worth it to use a higher pressure (more expensive)
Why is the theoretical overall reaction (SO3 + H2O) not actually done?
It is highly exothermic and therefore dangerous.
Which 2 reactions are done instead?
SO3 + H2SO4 -> H2S2O7 (oleum)
H2S2O7 + H2O -> 2H2SO4
What is the use of ammonia?
When reacted with an acid it forms a salt, that can be used as an explosive or a fertiliser
What is the overall reaction for the Haber Process?
N2 + 3H2 <=> 2NH3
Which reactions are used to make fertiliser?
NH3 + HCl -> NH4Cl
NH3 + HNO3 -> NH4NO3 (better fertiliser)
Which reaction is used to make an explosive?
NH3 + HNO3 -> NH4NO3
What is the optimum temperature for the haber process?
Low
What is the optimum pressure for the haber process?
High
Which catalyst is used in the Haber Process?
Powdered Iron (surface area)
What is the actual pressure used in the Haber Process?
200Atm (somewhat high)
*If over 400Atm is used, it would be better but very expensive
What is the actual temperature used in the Haber Process?
450C (medium) to ensure a decent rate and yield.
Because:
Too high -> Low Yield
Too low -> Low Rate
How is ammonia extracted at the end of the Haber Process?
Everything is cooled (N2, H2, NH3), and NH3 condenses as it has a higher boiling point than N2 and H2.