Topic 3 - Electrolysis Flashcards
What is electrolysis?
The breakdown of an electrolyte using electricity
What is an electrolyte?
The liquid that is used in electrolysis
What is an anode?
The positive electrode
What is a cathode?
The negative electrode
What is an anion?
A negative ion that is attracted to the anode
What is a cation?
A positive ion that is attracted to the cathode
What does “PANIC” mean?
Positive Anode, Negative Is Cathode
Have cations lost or gained electrons?
Cations have lost electrons (positively charged)
Have anions lost or gained electrons?
Anions have gained electrons (negatively charged)
Why can ionic compounds conduct electricity when molten?
When solid, ionic compounds cannot conduct electricity, as the ions are fixed in place and cannot move. When molten, though, the ions aare free to move and carry an electric current.
What does OIL RIG stand for?
Oxidation Is Loss (of electrons)
Reduction Is Gain (of electrons)
What does electrolysis do to an electrolyte?
Electrolysis splits an electrolyte back up into its elements, i.e. changing back from ions to atoms
At the cathode, do substances gain or lose electrons?
At the cathode, species always GAIN electrons
Reduction
At the anode, do substances gain or lose electrons?
At the anode, species always LOSE electrons
Oxidation
What 2Cl- -> Cl2 + 2e- an example of?
A half equation
How does electroplating work?
Having the object you want to cover as the cathode, and what you cover it with as the anode, by electrolysing (with a solution of the substance at the anode as the electrolyte), you can electroplate the object
How is copper purified using electrolysis?
There is two strips of copper, a pure one and an impure one. Copper molecules move from the impure strip to the pure one. The impurities do not move and fall to the bottom.
