Electrolysis
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Electrolysis
The breaking down of a compound using electricity
Electrodes
Two electrodes which connect the substance to the circuit
positive electrode
anode
negative electrode
cathode
What are electrodes made of
solids that conduct electricity but are unreactive
Electrolyte
The substance being broken down
positive ions
attracted to the cathode
negative ions
attracted to anode
At the anode - positive elctrode
non-metal ions lose electrons to form molecules Ions go back to neutral
At the cathode - negative electrode
metal ions gain electrons to form atoms Ions go back to neutral
What happens at the anode
If a halide ion is present then element is produced as normal If a halide ion is not present oxygen and water are produced
Half equation for halide being produced at anode - Chlorine
2Cl- –> Cl2 + 2e-
Half equation for water and oxygen being produced at anode
4OH- –> O2 + 2H2O + 4e-
What happens at the cathode
if the metal is less reactive than hydrogen than it is produced if the metal is more reactive than hydrogen, hydrogen is produced
Half equation for hydrogen being produced at cathode
2H+ + 2e- –> H2
Name a suitable material for the eloctrodes
Platinum/Silver/Gold