Electrolysis

• Electrolysis


  A chemical process which splits an ionic compound into its ions using electricity
• Electrolysis


  1. Requires an ionic compound that has been melted into a liquid or dissolved in water

  2. Electricity breaks the compound down into its positive ions (cations) and negative ions (anions)
• Electrode


  A rod of metal or graphite through which an electric current flows into or out of an electrolyte
• Electrolyte


  An ionic compound in a molten or dissolved solution that conducts the electricity and is the substance that you are going to split into ions using electrolysis
• Anode


  The positive electrode of an electrolysis cell
• Anion


  A negatively charged ion that is attracted to the anode
• Cathode


  The negative electrode of an electrolysis cell
• Cation


  A positively charged ion that is attracted to the cathode
• Aluminium is more reactive than carbon


  Electrolysis is used to extract aluminium from its oxide
• Metal is less reactive than carbon


  Carbon can be used to extract the metal from its ore
• Electrolysis uses a large amount of electricity, making aluminium expensive
• Applications of electrolysis


  • Electroplating
  • Fuel cells
• Electroplating


  A process where the surface of one metal is coated with a layer of a different metal
• Electroplating


  • Coating a strip of iron with tin
  • Coating jewellery or cutlery with silver
• Reasons for electroplating


  • Makes the metal more resistant to corrosion or damage
  • Improves the appearance of the metal