electrolytic process

• Oxidation


  Loss of electrons
• Reduction


  Gain of electrons
• Reactions where a substance gains oxygen are known as oxidation reactions
• Reactions where a substance loses oxygen are known as reduction reactions
• OIL RIG


  Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain (of electrons)
• The reactions at each electrode can be shown as half equations
• Molten copper chloride electrolysis


  • Copper and chlorine are produced
• At the anode (positive electrode)


  Chloride ions lose an electron to become chlorine
• Oxidation at the anode

  Oxidation Is Loss of electrons
• At the cathode (negative electrode)


  Copper ions gain 2 electrons to become copper
• Reduction at the cathode

  Reduction Is Gain of electrons
• Reduction (gain of electrons) always occurs at the cathode (negative electrode) in electrolysis reactions
• Oxidation (loss of electrons) always occurs at the anode (positive electrode)