C6- Electrolysis Flashcards
(14 cards)
The half-life for a radioactive isotope is a measure of the average time it takes:
1. for the number of nuclei in the isotope of the sample (so the mass of parent atoms) to halve
2. for the count rate from the isotope in the sample to fall to half its initial value
what does electrolysis mean
Electro = electricity
Lysis = splitting
Why does the ionic compound HAVE to be in liquid form for electrolysis
An ionic compound’s natural solid form is a giant ionic lattice - strong ionic bonds keep the ions locked in their place, so they can’t move, so they cannot flow and go to the electrodes
what are the 2 states of our electrolyte
As our electrolyte HAS to be liquid, it can be two states ⟶ molten (l) or aqueous (aq)
what does molten mean
Molten = the compound is MELTED down into its LIQUID form
what does aqueous mean
Aqueous means the ionic compound has been DISSOLVED in WATER (aqua–> water)
why is electrodes made out of graphite
there are electrodes which are made out of graphite
It needs to be made out of graphite as it a) it can conduct electricity and b) It is inert (unreactive)
why does the electrode need to be unreactive
Our electrodes need to be unreactive so that they don’t react with the electrolyte or the products of electrolysis
what are cations
Positively charged ions = cations (see the t as a plus sign)
what are anions
Negatively charged ions = anions (A Negatively charged ION)
what are cations attracted to
CAThodes attract CATions ⟶ so cathodes are negatively charged electrodes
what are anions attracted to
ANodes attract Anions ⟶ so anodes are positively charged electrodes
what happens to ions at the electrode
At the electrodes, the ions becomes discharged
At the electrodes, ions lose their charge and become elements (so this means that at the electrodes, gases are given off, or metals are deposited)
