electrolysis

• • When electric current passed thru a molten / aqueous ionic compound it decomposes / breaks down
  • Covalent compounds can't conduct -> do not undergo electrolysis
  • electrolytic cell: set-up used in electrolysis:

  1. Electrode: rod of metal / graphite thru which electric current flows in / out of an electrolyte
  2. Electrolyte: ionic compound in molten / dissolved solution that conducts electricity
  3. Anode: positive electrode of an electrolysis cell
  4. Anion: negatively charged ion attracted to anode
  5. Cathode: negative electrode
  6. Cation: positively charged
• • During electrolysis the electrons move from the power supply towards the cathode
  • Electron flow in electrochemistry thus occurs in alphabetical order as electrons flow from the anode to the cathode
  • Positive ions within the electrolyte migrate towards the negatively charged electrode which is the cathode
  • Negative ions within the electrolyte migrate towards the positively charged electrode which is the anode

  
• When a metal conducts it is the electrons that are moving through the metal. When a salt solution conducts it is the ions in the solution that move towards the electrodes while carrying the electrons.