Electrochemistry and Elements Quiz

What is an element defined as?

What process was used to decompose water into its simpler elements?

What is the importance of electrolysis?

What is an electrolytic cell used for?

What is the role of the battery or power supply in an electrolytic cell?

What is the purpose of the electrodes in an electrolytic cell?

What is the process of breaking down ionic compounds using electricity called?

What must ionic compounds be in order to undergo electrolysis?

What is the importance of electrolysis?

What is the role of the electrodes in an electrolytic cell?

What is the purpose of the battery or power supply in an electrolytic cell?

What is the process of decomposing water using electricity called?

What is the role of the electrolyte in an electrolytic cell?

What is the result of the electrolysis of sodium chloride?

An element is a pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler components.
In the past, water was thought to be an element, but it was later found to be decomposable into its constituent elements using electricity, a process called electrolysis.

Electrolysis is the process of decomposing ionic compounds into their simpler elements using electricity or electric current.
The ionic compound must be molten or dissolved in water for decomposition to take place.
Electrolysis can also be used to decompose covalent compounds, such as water.

The importance of electrolysis lies in its ability to extract pure elements from compounds.
Examples of electrolysis include the decomposition of water into hydrogen and oxygen, and the decomposition of sodium chloride into sodium and chlorine.

Electrolysis takes place in a device called an electrolytic cell.
The components of an electrolytic cell include:
- Battery or power supply: the source of electrons, also known as an electron pump.
- Electrode: 2 rods made of graphite or other metal (such as lead or platinum) that can conduct electricity, and are unreactive (inert electrodes).