Electrolysis

• Electrolysis


  Splitting up with electricity
• Electrolysis


  1. Electric current passed through an electrolyte compound

  2. Ions move towards the electrodes

  3. Ions react at the electrodes

  4. Ions gain or lose electrons at the electrodes

  5. Uncharged elements are discharged from the electrolyte
• Electrolysis of molten ionic solids forms elements
• Metals can be extracted from their ores using electrolysis
• Extracting metals from ores using electrolysis

  1. Ore is melted

  2. Electrolysis is used

  3. Electricity provides the energy required to split the ore and produce the metal
• The negative ions are attracted to the positive electrode (anode) and the positive ions are attracted to the negative electrode (cathode)
• At the negative electrode, the positive ions gain electrons and are reduced to the uncharged element
• At the positive electrode, the negative ions lose electrons and are oxidised
• Oxidation


  Loss of electrons
• Reduction


  Gain of electrons
• Overall equation for electrolysis of aluminium oxide

  Aluminium oxide -> Aluminium + Oxygen
• Electrolysis is used in the production of aluminium from its ore
• Electrolysis is used in the production of sodium from molten sodium chloride