3 Required Practical: Electrolysis

Question 1

Describe the electrolysis of aqueous solutions using inert electrodes.

Answer 1

1. Pour 50cm³ of 0.5M solution into beaker.
2. Add lid and insert electrodes through the hole making sure they don’t touch.
3. Add crocodile leads to the electrode and connect to a DC terminal of 4V and switch on.
4. Using forceps, hold litmus paper near anode.
5. After a few minutes, turn power supply off and observe the negative electrode (effervescence for sodium chloride).
6. Record observations at the electrodes.

Question 3

Half equation for hydroxides

Answer 3

4OH^- —> O₂ + 2H₂O + 4e^-