C6 electrolysis

• electrolysis is used to break up ionic compounds using electricity
• the cathode is the negative electrode which positive ions move towards
• the anode is the positive electrode which the negative ions move towards
• the electrolyte is a liquid or solution of ions
• at the anode negative ions loose electrons by oxidation
• the product at the anode is the non-metal or hydrogen
• at the cathode positive ions gain electrons by reduction
• at the cathode the metal is formed
• at the anode is there is a halide then the halogen is produces or if the negative ions contain oxygen oxygen is made
• at the cathode the least reactive substance is produced
• if electrolysis happens at a high temperature the oxygen produced can react with the carbon electrode and form carbon dioxide
• aluminium is extracted from an ore called bauxite
• aluminium is string light and doesn't corrode so it is used in aeroplanes, drinking cans and cooking foil
• bauxite is dissolved into cryolite to lower it's melting point before electrolysis
• the electrolysis of brine produces hydrogen at the cathode and chlorine at the anode and sodium hydroxide is left over in the solution
• brine is concentrated sodium chloride
• hydrogen is used for fuels, making ammonia, reduction of metal ores
• chlorine is used for bleach, water treatments, plastics
• sodium hydroxide is used for bleach, soap, oven cleaner
• 1. pour 50cm3 copper II chloride into a beaker 2. add a lid and insert the carbon electrodes through the holes making sure they don't touch each other 3. attach crocodile clips and attach them to a power supply 4. select 4V on the power supply and turn it on 5. watch for bubbling at the electrodes