Electrolysis

Question 1

What is electrolysis?

Answer 1

The process of using an electric current to break down a substance into its elements or simpler compounds

Question 2

What is an electrolyte?

Answer 2

The substance that is being electrolyzed, typically an ionic compound in a liquid state or dissolved in water

Question 3

What occurs at the anode during electrolysis?

Answer 3

Oxidation occurs (loss of electrons)

Question 4

What occurs at the cathode during electrolysis?

Answer 4

Reduction occurs (gain of electrons)

Question 5

What are cations?

Answer 5

Positive ions attracted to the cathode where they gain electrons

Question 6

What are anions?

Answer 6

Negative ions attracted to the anode where they lose electrons

Question 7

What happens during the electrolysis of molten Sodium Chloride (NaCl)?

Answer 7

Sodium ions gain electrons at the cathode to form sodium metal, and chloride ions lose electrons at the anode to form chlorine gas

Question 8

What is the reaction at the cathode during the electrolysis of molten NaCl?

Answer 8

Na⁺ + e⁻ → Na

Question 9

What is the reaction at the anode during the electrolysis of molten NaCl?

Answer 9

2Cl⁻ → Cl₂ + 2e⁻

Question 10

What is the overall reaction for the electrolysis of Sodium Chloride (NaCl)?

Answer 10

2NaCl(l) → 2Na(l) + Cl₂(g)

Question 11

What happens when an ionic compound is dissolved in water?

Answer 11

Water molecules split into hydrogen ions (H⁺) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻), which can participate in electrolysis

Question 12

What happens at the cathode during the electrolysis of Copper Sulfate (CuSO₄) solution?

Answer 12

Copper ions (Cu²⁺) gain electrons to form copper metal (Cu)

Question 13

What is the reaction at the cathode during the electrolysis of CuSO₄?

Answer 13

Cu²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Cu

Question 14

What happens at the anode during the electrolysis of CuSO₄?

Answer 14

Water can be oxidized to produce oxygen gas (O₂) and hydrogen ions (H⁺)

Question 15

What is the reaction at the anode during the electrolysis of CuSO₄?

Answer 15

2H₂O → O₂ + 4H⁺ + 4e⁻

Question 16

What is the overall reaction for the electrolysis of Copper Sulfate (CuSO₄)?

Answer 16

CuSO₄(aq) → Cu(s) + O₂(g)

Question 17

What factors can affect the products of electrolysis?

Answer 17

• Concentration of the solution
• Position of ions in the electrochemical series
• Voltage applied

Question 18

What is electroplating?

Answer 18

The process of using electrolysis to coat an object with a thin layer of metal

Question 19

What metals can be extracted using electrolysis?

Answer 19

Metals like aluminum from their ores

Question 20

What products are formed during the electrolysis of sodium chloride (brine)?

Answer 20

• Chlorine gas (Cl₂) at the anode
• Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at the cathode

Question 21

Fill in the blank: Electrolysis of Sodium Chloride (NaCl) results in _______ and _______.

Answer 21

2Na(l) and Cl₂(g)

Question 22

Fill in the blank: Electrolysis of Copper Sulfate (CuSO₄) results in _______ and _______.

Answer 22

Cu(s) and O₂(g)