Electrolysis

• What are Electrolytes?

  Ions in a solution that conduct electricity.
• What is Electrolysis?

  The breaking down of ionic substances using electricity.
• What is oxidation?

  Oxidation is a chemical reaction in which a substance loses electrons.
• What is reduction?

  Reduction is a chemical reaction in which a substance gains electrons.
• What is an anion?

  A negatively charged ion.
• What is a cation?

  A positively charged ion.
• Where do cations migrate to during Electrolysis?

  Cathode
• Where do the anions migrate to during Electrolysis?

  Anode
• What is the liquid in this solution?

  Electrolytes

  
• In the Anode, oxidation always happens
• In the Cathode, reduction always happens.
• The anode is the positive electrode.
• The Cathode is the negative electrode.
• What are the products in the Electrolysis of a Copper Chloride Solution?


  Cathode: Reduction occurs at the cathode. Copper ions (Cu²⁺) from the solution gain electrons and are reduced to form solid copper (Cu).

  Anode: Chloride ions (Cl⁻) are oxidized at the anode. They lose electrons and form chlorine gas (Cl₂).
• What are the products of Electrolysis in a Sodium Chloride solution?

  Cathode: Sodium ions (Na⁺) from the solution gain electrons at the cathode to form sodium metal (Na).

  Anode: Chloride ions (Cl⁻) are oxidized at the anode, forming chlorine gas (Cl₂).
• What are the products of Electrolysis in a Sodium Sulfate solution?

  Cathode: Water is reduced at the cathode instead of sodium ions. Hydrogen gas (H₂) is produced.

  Anode: Sulfate ions (SO₄²⁻) are oxidized to form oxygen gas (O₂).
• What happens to the water during the Electrolysis of aqueous solutions?

  Water molecules are split into hydrogen (H+) and Hydroxide (OH-)
• What happens to the Cathode during the electrolysis of aqueous solutions?

  If a metal is more reactive than hydrogen, the Cathode will end up with Hydrogen. If a metal is less reactive than Hydrogen, it will end up with the pure form of the metal in the Cathode.
• What happens to the Anode during the electrolysis of aqueous solutions?

  Oxygen is always formed as a product of the Anode UNLESS the anion is found in the Halogen series (group 7).
• What is the acronym for memorizing the reactivity series?

  Please stop calling me a careless zebra instead learn how copper saves gold.
• How do you set up an Electrochemical cell?

  By connecting 2 inert electrodes (like graphene) cleaned with sandpaper (untouched) and placed in a beaker full of electrolytes.
• How do you set up Electrolysis in a molten ionic substance?

  By melting the ions till they are molten with a bunsen burner and placing the electrodes with the circuit.
• What happens during the electrolysis of copper sulfate?

  Copper ions are reduced at the cathode to form copper metal, while sulfate ions are oxidized at the anode to form oxygen gas and water (since there are no halide ions). The sulfate is left in the solution of the Electrolytes during the process.

  
• How do you extract copper from an ore using Electrolysis?

  1. Start with a thick piece of copper in the anode and a thin piece of copper in the cathode (They are both the electrodes).
  2. The impure copper (in the anode) begins to oxidize (lose electrons) to form copper ions in the electrolyte solution.
  3. The copper ions gain electrons and join the pure ions in the Cathode.
  4. Any impurities would end up at the bottom of the cell forming a sludge.

  
• those are half equations: