Chemistry - Electrolysis

Electrolysis of compounds Metals conduct electricity because they have delocalised electrons which can move and carry a charge. Lysis - splitting, electro - electricity Electrolysis is the process of splitting up an ionic compound using electricity. The compound must be in its molten or aqueous state. The substance broken down by electrolysis is called the electrolyte. Electrolytes are chemical compounds that conduct electricity when molten or in solution. Ionic bonding is present in substances that can be electrolysed. During electrolysis, positive ions move towards the negative electrode, and negative ions move towards the positive electrode. The positive electrode is the anode, whereas the negative electrode is called the cathode. The negative ions (which move towards the anode) are called anions. The positive ions (which move towards the cathode) are called cations. P​​​​​ositive A​​​​​​node N​​​​​​egative I​​​​​​s C​​​​​​athode When the ions arrive at the electrodes they are changed into atoms or molecules. During electrolysis: Positively charged ions move towards the negative electrode during electrolysis. They receive electrons and are reduced. Negatively charged ions move towards the positive electrode during electrolysis. They lose electrons and are oxidised.   Oxidation Is Loss   Reduction Is Gain (of electrons). Anions (-) --------------> Anode (+)  (Oxidation - loss of electrons) Cations (+) ------------->Cathode (-)  (Reduction - gain of electrons).