Electrolysis

• Electrolysis is splitting up of something using electricity
• • When an electric current is passed through a molten ionic compound the compound decomposes or breaks down
• • Liquids and solutions that are able to conduct electricity are called electrolytes
• • Covalent compounds cannot conduct electricity hence they do not undergo electrolysis
• An electrode is a rod of metal or graphite through which an electric current flows into or out of an electrolyte
• An electrolyte is an ionic compound in a molten or dissolved solution that conducts the electricity
• The anode is the positive electrode of the electrolysis cell
• The anion is the negatively charged ion which is attracted to the anode.
• The cathode is the negative electrode of the electrolysis cell.
• The cation is the positively charged ion which is attracted to the cathode.
• • Ionic compounds in the solid state cannot conduct electricity since they have no free ions that can move and carry the charge
• • The ions must be able to move and can only do so in the molten state or when dissolved in a solution, usually aqueous
• 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
• Positive cations will gain electrons at the negative cathode

  Negative anion will lose electrons at the positive anode