Electrolysis is the process of passing an electric current through an ionic compound in the liquid state or in aqueous solution, leading to chemical changes at the electrodes
the electrolytic cell consists of a power supple, and electrolyte and two electrodes
the power supply supplies electricity, electrons move from its negative terminal through the circuit to its positive terminal
the number of electrons leaving the anode is equal to the number of electrons gained at the cathode
Inert Electrodes
electrodes that do not participate in electrolysis
e.g. carbon (graphite) and platinum
Electrolysis of molten ionic compounds
a binary ionic compound consists of ions of two different elements, a metal and a non-metal
when a molten binary ionic compound is used as the electrolyte, the metal is obtained at the cathode while the non-metal is obtained at the anode
Electrolyte
an electrolyte is the ionic compound that is molten or dissolved in water, it contains mobile ions which carry charge to conduct electricity
Electrolysis of Dilute Aqueous Solution
water dissociates to form hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions
one type of cation is preferentially reduced at the cathode, while one anion is preferentially reduced at the cathode (AOCR)
the more reactive cation is more easily discharged (Usually OH) (SNCBIOH)
