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CHAPTER 11
ELECTROLYSIS
The chemical change that takes place when
an electric current passes through a molten or
aqueous electrolyte.
ELECTROLYTE
A compound which when molten or dissolved
in aqueous solution conducts an electric
current and is decomposed in the process.
ELECTRODE
A metal or graphite rod by which the
current enters or leaves an electrolyte.
ANODE ( +)
The positive electrode from which electrons
leave the electrolyte.
CATHODE (-)
The negative electrode from which electrons
enter the electrolyte.
ANION
A negatively charged ion which is
attracted to the positively charged
electrode, the anode.
CATION
A positively charged ion that is
attracted to the negatively charged
electrode, the cathode.
Electrolysis of molten lead (II)
bromide
Electrolyte: PbBr2 (l)
Ions present: Pb 2+ , Br -
Step 1.
Break the ionic compound into its ions. X m+ and Y n -
X m+ is call the Cation
Note
concentration of acid
increases
products are equivalent to
those obtained by
electrolysis of water
volume of oxygen gas to
hydrogen gas obtained is 1 : 2
Electrolysis of concentrated hydrochloric acid
Electrolyte: HCl (aq)
Ions present: H + , Cl - from HCl
H + , OH - from H2O
Using graphite electrodes:
At the cathode: H + ions migrate to it.
2H + + 2e H2
At the anode: Cl - and OH - ions migrate to it.
• Na + is preferentially
discharged.
The sodium
+ forms a dilute amalgam with
Na + e Na
mercury.
The amalgam is led into iron tanks containing
water where it decomposes to produce sodium
hydroxide, hydrogen and mercury.
2Cl - - 2e Cl2
• Chlorine is observed as a
greenish-yellow gas around the
anode.
• Chlorine is used in the
manufacture of bleach, sodium
chlorate (I), by reaction with
lectrolysis of copper (II) sulphate solutio
Electrolyte: dilute CuSO4 (aq)
Cu 2+ (aq) + 2e Cu (s)
• OH - (aq) OH (g) + e
• OH (g) + OH (g) H2O (l) + O (g)
• O (g) + O (g) O2 (g)
Cu 2+ (aq) + 2e Cu (s)
• Cu (s) Cu 2+ (aq) + 2e