reactivity series: a list of elements in order of their reactivity
oxidised: describes a substance that has had oxygen added to it or has lost electrons.
reduced: a reaction in which oxygen is removed or electrons are gained.
electrolysis: the process by which an electric current is used to split up compounds into simpler substances, usually metals from molten salts (fused solids) or solutions.
anode: positive electrode where oxidation occurs
cathode: negative electrode where reduction occurs
electrons are negative
protons are positive
neutrons are neutral
overall atoms have a charge of0 because the protons and electrons cancel each other out.
isotopes: different forms of the same element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons
ionic bonding: involves the transfer of electrons, it creates ions, ions are positive or negative between metals and non-metals
reversible reactions: occur when the backwards reaction (products-reactants) takes place relatively easily under the certain conditions.
irreversible reactions: occur when the reverse reaction is very difficult to achieve under any set of conditions.
independent variable: is the variable you change during an experiment
dependant variable: is the variable you measure
control variable: is the variable you keep the same.
the pH scale measures how acidic/alkaline something is on a scale from 1-14
ionic compounds contain ions which are charged particles if the compound is molten or dissolved, the ions are free to move towards the electrodes and so the compound can conduct electricity