Zusammenfassung der Ressource
Electrolysis
- What is Electrolysis?
- The decomposition of
a compound using
electrical energy
- The electricity
used comes from
a d.c source, such
as a battery
- It requires liquid
to conduct the
electricity, called
the electrolyte
- The electricity is
applied to the
electrolyte by two
electrodes
- The electrolyte
contains the
compound, which is
broken down into
its component parts
- The component parts are
released as atoms or
molecules - often as a gas
- Electrolysing Hydrochloric Acid
- The electrolyte is
a dilute solution of
hydrochloric acid
- Applying a d.c current to the
electrolyte causes the
hydrochloric acid to
decompose into two
component parts
- Hydrogen
- You can test for this as
it makes a
"squeaky-pop" with a
lighted splint.
- H2 is positive and
so it's attracted to
the cathode
- Chlorine
- You can test for this as
chlorine bleaches damp litmus
paper, turning it white. Or red
for a moment at first as
chlorine is acidic.
- Cl2 is negative and
so it's attracted to
the anode
- The gases bubble through
the solution and can be
collected at the electrodes
- Electrodes
- Anode
- has a positive charge
- attracts anions
(negative ions)
- oxidation - reduction loss
- Cathode
- has a negative charge
- attracts cations
(positive ions)
- reduction - electron gain