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Electrolysis Principles

The document discusses the principles and setup of electrolysis. It describes how electrolysis works by decomposing ionic compounds when an electric current is passed through. It then discusses the key terms used in an electrolytic cell including electrodes, electrolyte, anode, and cathode. It also provides examples of electrolysis including electrolysis of copper sulfate using both graphite and copper electrodes.

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mmoyo207
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24 views4 pages

Electrolysis Principles

The document discusses the principles and setup of electrolysis. It describes how electrolysis works by decomposing ionic compounds when an electric current is passed through. It then discusses the key terms used in an electrolytic cell including electrodes, electrolyte, anode, and cathode. It also provides examples of electrolysis including electrolysis of copper sulfate using both graphite and copper electrodes.

Uploaded by

mmoyo207
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Electrolysis Principles

 When an electric current is passed through a molten ionic compound the compound decomposes or
breaks down
 The process also occurs for aqueous solutions of ionic compounds
 Covalent compounds cannot conduct electricity hence they do not undergo electrolysis
 Ionic compounds in the solid state cannot conduct electricity either since they have no free ions that
can move and carry the charge

Key terms used in a simple electrolytic cell

 Electrode is a rod of metal or graphite through which an electric current flows into or out of an
electrolyte
 Electrolyte is the ionic compound in a molten or dissolved solution that conducts the electricity
 Anode is the positive electrode of an electrolysis cell
 Anion is a negatively charged ion which is attracted to the anode
 Cathode is the negative electrode of an electrolysis cell
 Cation is a positively charged ion which is attracted to the cathode
The basic set-up of an electrolytic cell

 Metals and hydrogen form positively charged ions and so either a metal or hydrogen gas is formed at
the cathode
 Non-metals form negatively charged ions and so non-metals (except hydrogen) are formed at
the anode

Factors affecting electrolysis

Electrolysis of aqueous copper sulfate

 Aqueous copper sulfate contains the following ions:


o Cu2+ and SO42– from the copper sulfate
o H+ and OH– from the water
Using graphite electrodes:

Apparatus for the electrolysis of copper(II)sulfate using inert / passive graphite electrodes

Product at the cathode:

 Cu2+ and H+ will both be attracted to the cathode but the less reactive ion will be discharged
o In this case, copper is less reactive than hydrogen
o Copper ions are discharged at the cathode
 They gain electrons and are reduced to form copper metal
o The half equation for the reaction at the electrode is:

Cu2+ + 2e– → Cu

Product at the anode:

 SO42– and OH– are both attracted to the anode


o OH– ions lose electrons more readily than SO42-
o OH– lose electrons and are oxidised to form oxygen gas
o The half equation for the reaction at the anode is

4OH– ⟶ O2 + 2H2O + 4e

Using copper electrodes:


Apparatus for the electrolysis of copper(II)sulfate using active copper electrodes

Observations at the anode and cathode:

 The cathode increases in mass


o This is because copper atoms are oxidised at the anode and form copper ions, Cu2+
 The anode decreases in mass
o This is because copper ions, Cu2+, are reduced at the cathode and form copper atoms
 The gain in mass by the negative electrode is the same as the loss in mass by the positive electrode
o Therefore, the copper deposited on the negative electrode must be the same copper ions that
are lost from the positive electrode
 This implies that the concentration of the Cu2+ ions in the solution remains constant

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