Electric Current and Its Chemical Effects

Electric Current and Its Chemical Effects

• Materials that allow electricity to pass through them easily are called conductors. Metals are good conductors.
• Materials that do not allow electricity to pass through them easily are called insulators. Examples: Plastic, wood, bakelite.
• Some liquids also conduct electricity.
• Liquids made from salts/acids/bases break into free positive and negative ions, which allows the flow of current.
• Solutions of certain substances (salts, acids, alkalis) are good conductors, improving their conductivity.
• Distilled water does not conduct electricity, but solutions of certain salts/acids/alkalises do.
• The amount of ions in solutions affects their conductivity.
• Electrical current can have chemical effects (electrolysis).
• Substances like metals can be deposited on objects with electric current.
• Electroplating is the process of depositing a thin layer of one metal onto another.
• Electrorefining is the process of obtaining pure metals from impure ones through electrolysis.
• Electrolytic cells use electricity to drive chemical reactions.
• Electrolyte solutions conduct electricity.
• Some electrolytes conduct electricity better than others (strong vs weak).
• Electrolytes completely ionize when dissolved in water (strong), whereas weak electrolytes only partially ionize.
• Faraday's experiments discovered that a changing magnetic field can generate an electric current (electromagnetic induction).
• Using magnets and coils can create electricity.

Conductivity of Liquids

• Most solids are conductors. Liquids also conduct electricity, although not all do.
• Solutions of common salts (e.g., sodium chloride), acids, and alkalis are good conductors. Distilled water does not.
• Substances that conduct electricity in solution are called electrolytes.

Electrolytes

• Electrolytes are substances that conduct electricity when molten or dissolved in water.
• Strong electrolytes completely dissociate into ions in solution.
• Weak electrolytes partially dissociate into ions in solution.

Chemical Effects of Electric Current

• Electrolysis is the process where chemical changes occur when electric current passes through a liquid.
• The passage of current results in chemical changes (e.g., formation of bubbles, ions).
• Electrolysis is used in various applications like extraction of metals.
• Electroplating involves using electrolysis to coat a base metal with a thin layer of another metal.

Applications

• Electrolysis is used in the extraction of metals from ores (e.g., aluminium).
• Electroplating is used to improve the appearance, durability, or corrosion resistance of metal objects (e.g., coating bicycles, handles with chromium or nickel).
• Electroplating is applied in various products.

Explore the fascinating world of electric current and its impact on chemical processes. Understand the roles of conductors, insulators, and various substances in conductivity. Learn about electrolysis, electroplating, and how electricity can influence chemical reactions.