electrolysis

• the electrolyte is a molten or dissolved ionic compound so the ions are free to move
• a flow of charge is created through the electrolytes as ions travel to the electrodes
• metals form positive ions so are attracted to the negative electrode
• non-metals form negative ions so they are attracted to the positive electrode
• what is a the cathode?

  negative
• what is the anode?

  positive
• what are electrodes?

  solid conductors (metal or carbon)
• there is a wire connecting the electrodes with a battery to drive the flow of electrons
• metal is attracted to the cathode and is discharged which forms a pure metal which falls to the bottom
• the non metal is attracted to the anode and is discharged
• what does discharged mean?

  it becomes a neutral atom
• the non metals electrons are taken and moved round the wire to the cathode to the metal
• what happens at the cathode?

  ions being reduced
• what happens at the anode?

  ions being oxidised
• determine the charges of the elements using the periodic table