chemical changes- Flashcards
What does an aqueous solution mean?
Dissolved in water.
Define molten.
Melted into a fluid state.
What is an electrolyte and what does it do?
It is a substance that conducts electricity when molten or in an aqueous solution.
What is an electrode?
It is an electrical conductor that carries an electrical current into an electrolyte.
What is a spectator ion?
An ion that is not oxidised or reduced at the electrode(does not take part in the reaction.)
What is an inert electrode?
An electrode that does not get degraded during electrolysis.
What is cryolite?
It is a solvent for aluminium oxide that lowers the overall melting point of the electrolyte.
Define discharged
This is where ions gain or lose electrons at the electrodes,(oxidised or reduced)
What is the cathode?
The negatively charged electrode.
What is the anode?
The positively charged electrode.
What is a half equation?
It is either of 2 equations that describe each half of a redox reaction.
What happens at the cathode if an element is more/less reactive than hydrogen?
If an element is less reactive than hydrogen at the cathode,then it will be produced at the cathode,if the element is more reactive than hydrogen then hydrogen gas will be formed at the cathode.
What is meant by the acronym OIL RIG?
Oxidation Is the Loss of Electrons.
Reduction Is the Gain of Electrons.
What happens at the anode if the ion is simple or complex?
If there is a simple ion present then that element is produced, but if the negative ion is complex then oxygen is produced from the hydroxide ions.
