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Questions and Answers
What happens when an electric current is passed through a molten ionic compound?
What happens when an electric current is passed through a molten ionic compound?
The compound decomposes or breaks down.
Covalent compounds can conduct electricity and therefore undergo electrolysis.
Covalent compounds can conduct electricity and therefore undergo electrolysis.
False
What is an electrolyte?
What is an electrolyte?
The positive electrode of an electrolysis cell is called the ______.
The positive electrode of an electrolysis cell is called the ______.
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Which mnemonic can help you remember which electrode is positive and which is negative?
Which mnemonic can help you remember which electrode is positive and which is negative?
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Ionic compounds in solid state can conduct electricity.
Ionic compounds in solid state can conduct electricity.
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What must happen for ionic compounds to conduct electricity?
What must happen for ionic compounds to conduct electricity?
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What migrates towards the cathode during electrolysis?
What migrates towards the cathode during electrolysis?
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During electrolysis, positive ions migrate towards the ______.
During electrolysis, positive ions migrate towards the ______.
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What is the product formed at the cathode during the electrolysis of binary ionic compounds?
What is the product formed at the cathode during the electrolysis of binary ionic compounds?
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Which material is often used for electrodes in electrolysis to prevent side reactions?
Which material is often used for electrodes in electrolysis to prevent side reactions?
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Study Notes
Electrolysis
- Electrolysis is the process of decomposing a molten or aqueous ionic compound using an electric current
- This process also occurs for aqueous solutions of ionic compounds
- Liquids/solutions that can conduct electricity are called electrolytes
- Covalent compounds cannot conduct electricity, thus do not undergo electrolysis
- An electrolytic cell consists of an electrode (metal or graphite for conducting electricity into/out of the electrolyte) and an electrolyte (ionic compound in a molten or dissolved solution that conducts electricity)
- The anode is the positive electrode, and the cathode is the negative electrode
- Anions (negatively charged ions) are attracted to the anode
- Cations (positively charged ions) are attracted to the cathode
Ionic Compounds
- Ionic compounds in the solid state cannot conduct electricity because they have no free ions to move and carry the charge
- Ions can move and carry charge when molten or dissolved in a solution (typically aqueous)
- When the electrolyte is placed in an electrolytic cell, the ions move towards the electrodes when a current is passed through it
Electrolysis Process
- Electrons move from the power supply to the cathode
- Electron flow in electrochemistry occurs in alphabetical order: from the anode to the cathode
- Positive ions migrate to the negatively charged cathode
- Negative ions migrate to the positively charged anode
- When a metal conducts, electrons move through it; when a salt solution conducts, ions in the solution move towards the electrodes while carrying the electrons
Predicting Products of Electrolysis
- For binary molten compounds, identify the ions present
- Positive ions migrate to the cathode; negative ions migrate to the anode
- The cathode product is always the metal
- The anode product is always the non-metal
Electrodes
- Electrodes such as graphite or platinum are inert so they do not react with the electrolyte
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Description
This quiz explores the fundamental concepts of electrolysis, focusing on the behavior of ionic compounds in molten and aqueous states. Learn about the distinctions between electrolytes and covalent compounds, and how ions behave during the electrolysis process. Test your understanding of electrodes, anodes, and cathodes in this essential chemistry topic.
