Scribd
Upload
20 views15 pages

Electrolysis Notes

Uploaded by

Ron
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
20 views15 pages

Electrolysis Notes

Uploaded by

Ron
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 15

ELECTROLYSIS

Electrolysis is the decomposition (breaking down) of a


substance using electrical energy. Electric current is passed
through the substance decomposed.

Definition of terms
1. Electrodes
These are conducting rods or plates through which current
enters and leaves the electrolyte. Electrodes have the
positive and negative ends.
(a) ANODE
This is the positive electrode through which current
enters the electrolyte. The negative ions (anions) are
attracted and discharged at the anode. Oxidation takes
place here
(b) CATHODE
This is the negative electrode through which current
leaves the electrolyte. Positive ions (cations) are
attracted and discharged at the cathode.

NB: electrons flow from the cathode to the anode.


Reduction takes place here.
2. Electrolyte
This is a substance that conducts electricity when molten
or in solution (dissolved in water). This is a liquid that
allows current to pass through.
3. Non-electrolyte
A compound or a substance in molten state or solution
which do not conduct electricity, eg paraffin, ethanol,
sugar solution etc.
4. Active electrodes
These are electrodes which react with the products of
electrolysis or electrolyte, hence affect the electrolysis.
Eg, copper electrodes in the electrolysis of copper II
sulphate.
5. Inert electrodes
These electrodes do not react with the products of
electrolysis or electrolyte.
Eg, platinum or carbon electrodes are normally used as
inert electrodes.
AN ELECTROLYTIC CELL

(DIAGRAM, quarter of a page)

NB: Positive ions (cations) are attracted/migrate to the


cathode (negative electrode) and are discharged there.
Negative ions (anions) are attracted/migrate to the anode
(positive electrode) and are discharged there.

Electrolysis of molten compounds


Example
Electrolysis of molten lead II bromide (PbBr2). The melting
point of PbBr2 is 3700C.
Ions present: Pb+2 and Br-1
Cathode reaction:
Pb+2(aq) + 2e → Pb(s)
Lead II ions are attracted and discharged at the cathode by
gaining two electrons to become lead atoms.
Anode reaction:
2Br-1(aq) → Br2 + 2e-
Bromide ions are attracted and discharged at the anode by
losing two electrons, and become bromine molecule.
ELECTROLYSIS OF AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS

FACTORS AFFECTING PREFERENTIAL DISCHARGE OF IONS

- Position of the ion in the electrochemical series


- Concentration of ions in solution
- Nature of electrodes

1. Position of the ion in the electrochemical series


Ions of less reactive metals and non-metals (below in
the electrochemical series) will be discharged in
preference to ions of more reactive metals and non-
metals, (above them in the series)

Electrochemical series

Cations anions
K+ SO4-2
Na+ NO3-
Ca+2 Cl-
Mg+2 Br-
Zn+2 I-
Fe+2 OH-
Pb+2
H+
Cu+2
Ag+
2. Concentration of ions in solution
More concentrated ions in solution will be discharged
in preference to less concentrated ions in solution.
3. Nature of electrodes
This factor will depend on whether the electrodes are
active or inert.

ELECTROLYSIS OF CONCENTRATED AQUEOUS SODIUM


CHLORIDE (NaCl)
Carbon (inert) electrodes are used
Concentrated sodium chloride is called BRINE
Ions present:

Cathode reaction:

observation

Anode reaction:

Observation
After the hydrogen (H+) ions and chloride (Cl-) ions are
discharged the remaining sodium (Na+) and hydroxide (OH-)
ions combine to form sodium hydroxide (NaOH). THE
ELECTROLYTE THEREFORE CHANGES FROM NEUTRAL TO
ALKALINE
Products of this electrolysis are
- Concentrated sodium hydroxide
- Hydrogen gas produced at the cathode
- Chlorine gas produced at the anode
ELECTROLYSIS OF CONCENTRATED HYDROCHLORIC ACID
(using inert electrodes)
The inert electrodes used are carbon electrodes
Ions present: H+ and Cl- from HCl
H+ and OH- from H2O
CATHODE REACTION:
(leave 2 lines)
Observations:
(leave 1 line)
ANODE REACTION
(leave 2 lines)
Observations:
(leave 2 lines)
Products of this electrolysis
-
-
-

ELECTROLYSIS OF DILUTE SULPHURIC ACID (the so-called


electrolysis of acidified water) using inert electrodes
Inert electrodes used are platinum electrodes
Hoffmann voltammeter
(diagram ¾ of a page)
Ions present:
H+ and SO4-2 from H2SO4
H+ and OH- from H2O
CATHODE REACTION
(leave 2 lines)
Observation:
(leave 2 lines)
ANODE REACTION
(leave 2 lines)
Observation:
(leave 2 lines)
NB: Ions of water (H+ and OH-) are discharged leaving behind
ions of sulphuric acid (H+ and SO4-2). The electrolyte therefore
will be concentrated with sulphuric acid.
One molecule of oxygen is produced for every two molecules of
hydrogen, ie, the volume of oxygen obtained is half that of
hydrogen because, oxygen is more soluble in water.
Products of this electrolysis are:
- Hydrogen gas produced at the cathode
- Oxygen gas produced at the anode
- Concentrated sulphuric acid

Electrolysis of aqueous Copper II Sulphate using carbon


electrodes (inert electrodes)
IONS PRESENT: Cu+2 and SO4-2 from CuSO4
H+ and OH- from H20
CATHODE REACTION

Observation
- Brown copper deposit
ANODE REACTION

Observation
-bubbles of oxygen gas
NB: The electrolyte changes from blue to light blue to
colourless.
WHY?
This is because copper II ions (Cu+2) in solution are blue, so the
solution loses its colour as they are removed.

(diagram)

Products of this electrolysis are:


- Copper formed at the cathode
- Oxygen gas formed at the anode
- Sulphuric acid in the electrolyte

Electrolysis of aqueous Copper II Sulphate using copper


electrodes (active electrodes)
IONS PRESENT: Cu+2 , SO4-2
H+ , OH-

REACTION AT THE CATHODE

Observation
- The cathode electrode increase in size

REACTION AT THE ANODE


Both SO4-2 and OH- ions are attracted to the anode , but neither
of them is discharged. Instead the copper anode dissolves in
solution by losing electrons. This is called ELECTRODE
IONISATION.
Observations
- The CuSO4 solution (electrolyte) remain the same colour
(blue).
WHY?
This is because the Cu+2 (blue in color) from the anode
replaces the Cu+2 discharged at the cathode as a result the
electrolyte remains blue.
- The copper anode decrease in size.

Mass of copper gained mass of copper lost


At the cathode = at the anode

(diagram)

Purification of copper

Copper is a very good conductor of electricity. It must therefore


be pure to be used for electrical wiring. To ensure the level of
purity, copper has to be purified by electrolysis.
Note:
The impure copper is made the anode
- Pure copper is made the cathode
- The electrolyte is a solution of copper salt eg copper II
sulphate etc

ANODE REACTION
The copper to be purified is used at the anode.
The anode loses mass (reduces in size) because the copper
atoms lose electrons and become copper ions, therefore the
impurities fall to the bottom of the cell. Anode dissolves.

CATHODE REACTION
The copper ions are discharged here.
ELECTROPLATING
Electroplating the process of coating a metal with the other
metal using electrolysis.

Important:
- The metal electroplated (coated) is made the cathode
- The metal used for electroplating is made the anode
- The electrolyte is a salt solution of the metal used for
electroplating
Example:
Electroplating a spatula with copper
- The spatula is made the cathode
- Copper is made the anode
- The electrolyte should be a copper salt e.g CuSO4, CuCl2
e.t.c

Diagram(QUARTER A PAGE)

CATHODE REACTION

Observations
- Brown copper coated spatula
- Spatula increase in size

ANODE REACTION

Observations
- Copper anode dissolve/reduce in size
USES OF ELECTROPLATING

- To protect against corrosion


- To improve appearance

USES OF ELECTROLYSIS

- Extraction of reactive metals


- Electroplating
- Purification of metals
- Manufacture of chemicals e.g NaOH

ELECTROLYSIS CALCULATIONS

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy