electrolysis

• What do ionic compounds do when their ions are free to move?

  Conduct electricity
• In what states can ions move to conduct electricity?

  Liquid state or aqueous solution
• What is the term for a molten or dissolved substance that conducts electricity?

  Electrolyte
• What is electrolysis?

  Decomposition of an electrolyte by electric current
• What is electrolysis used for?

  To extract reactive metals from ores
• What are the requirements for electrolysis to occur?


  • A DC electrical supply
  • A negative electrode (cathode)
  • A positive electrode (anode)
• Which ions move to the cathode during electrolysis?

  Positive ions, called cations
• Which ions move to the anode during electrolysis?

  Negative ions, called anions
• The process of decomposing an electrolyte by an electric current


  Electrolysis
• What type of compounds conduct electricity when their ions are free to move?


  Ionic compounds
• What is the substance being decomposed in electrolysis?


  Electrolyte
• What happens at the anode in electrolysis?


  Oxidation occurs, and atoms or molecules lose electrons to form ions.
• Oxidation in electrolysis means?


  Atoms or molecules lose electrons to form ions.
• What happens to electrons during oxidation in electrolysis?


  Electrons are lost by the atoms or molecules being oxidized.
• What happens to the electrons lost during oxidation?


  They are released and can flow, react, or be trapped in the electrolyte.
• Inert Electrodes


  Materials that do not react with the electrolyte or products formed during electrolysis, allowing ions to gain or lose electrons to form products.
• Molten Ionic Compound


  A state where an ionic compound is in a liquid state, allowing ions to move freely.
• Cathode (Negative Electrode)


  Location where reduction occurs, positive ions gain electrons, and neutral atoms/molecules form.
• Anode (Positive Electrode)


  Location where oxidation occurs, negative ions lose electrons, and products form (e.g., gases, salts).
• Electron Flow


  The movement of electrons from the external circuit to the electrodes, driving the redox reactions, ion movement, and species formation during electrolysis.
• What are inert electrodes?

  Electrodes that do not react with electrolyte
• What is the role of inert electrodes in electrolysis?

  They provide a surface for ion electron exchange
• Which materials are commonly used to make inert electrodes?

  Graphite and platinum
• What happens to positive metal ions during electrolysis of molten ionic compounds?

  They gain electrons at the negative electrode
• What happens to negative non-metal ions during electrolysis of molten ionic compounds?

  They lose electrons at the positive electrode
• What is formed when positive metal ions gain electrons?

  Metal atoms
• What is formed when negative non-metal ions lose electrons?

  Non-metal atoms
• What typically happens to non-metal atoms formed at the anode?

  They join together by covalent bonding
• What are the key processes occurring during the electrolysis of molten ionic compounds?

  • Positive metal ions gain electrons at the negative electrode
  • Negative non-metal ions lose electrons at the positive electrode
  • Non-metal atoms form covalent bonds at the anode