Electrolysis

• Electrolysis


  • Uses a DC current
  • Involves positive and negative electrodes
• Electrolysis


  1. Cations (positive ions) move to cathode (negative electrode)

  2. Anions (negative ions) move to anode (positive electrode)
• Inert electrodes


  Do not react with the electrolyte or the products formed on the electrodes, they just provide a surface for the products to form
• Reduction at cathode


  Positive metal ions gain electrons to form metal atoms
• Oxidation at anode


  Negative non-metal ions lose electrons to form non-metal ions
• Covalent bonds usually join atoms to form simple molecules
• Oxidation and reduction occur during electrolysis
• Cations --> Cathode

  Anions --> Anode
• What is electrolysis?


  where you pass an electrical current through a molten or liquid solution (the electrolyte) the positive ions (cations) move towards the negative electrode (cathode) and the anions to the anode This is done to separate the different products (ions) [lead from something else ect…]
• What is electrolysis (simple)

  the breaking down of substances with electricity
• Ionic solids can’t undergo electrolysis because they don’t have any free ions/the ions are in fixed positions and can’t move