all general memory Flashcards
What happens at the cathode
Reduction of cations (positive ions)
What happens at the anode
Oxidation of anions (negative ions)
What is an electrolyte
A substance which can dissociate into ions (in water or alone)
What is an electrode
A solid electric conductor which carries current into the electrolyte
What is a strong electrolyte
Something which completely dissociates (ionisations) into ions - for example NaCl
What is a weak electrolyte
Partial ionisation/dissociation into ions, in equilibrium - water and most organic acids and bases are weak electrolytes
Define electrolysis
The decomposition of a substance via passage of a DIRECT current which would otherwise not be spontaneous
Why direct current?
Keep the deposits/split of materials at each cell consistent so one thing is all deposited in one place. If polarity is continuously changing the ions will be continuously switching which cell they’re attracted to and move in opposite directions. Uneven deposition of particles.
Products of electrolysis: molten binary compound
only 2 ions: positive goes to cathode and is reduced, negative goes to anode and is oxidised
In a half equation representing reduction which side do the electrons appear
The side of the reactants (reductions/reactant)
In a half equation representing oxidation which side do the electrons appear
The side of the products (oxidation/products)
At the cathode what do different deposits look like
Pretty much every metal is a silvery grey solid except copper (Cu) which is a brown solid and gold (Au) which is… gold
At the anion what do the halogens get deposited as
Chlorine = greenish yellow gas, Bromine = brown gas, Iodine = purple gas
Test for halogen gases?
Damp blue litmus paper turns RED
At the anion what does oxygen appear as, how do we check it’s oxygen?
colourless gas bubble - relights a glowing wooden splint
Products at the cathode: aqueous solutions
Hydrogen (H2) gas in all cases EXCEPT when there are Au+, Ag+ or Cu2+ ions, in which case you will get gold, silver or copper
Products at the anion: aqueous solutions
If there’s halide ions present you’ll get the halogen gas, if not O2 (oxygen gas) from water
Half equation for the reduction of H+ at the cathode (acidic conditions)
2H(+)(aq) + 2e- -> H2(g)
Half equation for the reduction of H+ at the cathode (alkaline conditions)
2H20 + 2e- -> 2OH- + H2
Half equation for the oxidation of OH- at the anode (acidic conditions)
2H2O -> 4e- + 4(H+) + 2O2
Half equation for the oxidation of OH- at the anode (alkaline conditions)
4OH- -> 4e- + 2H2O + O2
define electroplating
surface of one metal (CATHODE) is coated with another (ANODE)
What should the electrolyte be for electroplating
A solution which contains the metal ion of the anode (the metal being used to coat the cathode metal)
In electroplating which electrode metal is more reactive
The metal being coated is more reactive and the one thats coating the cathode is less reactive