Electrolysis Flashcards
(12 cards)
What is electrolysis?
Use of an electrical current to break down compounds containing ions into their constituent elements
What is the electrolyte
The substance being broken down
What is the electrode
The solid poles in the solution that conduct electricity
What is the anode?
The positive electrode
What is the cathode?
The negative electrode
Where do negatively charged ions move to?
The anode
Where do positive ions move to
The cathode
What is a redox reaction
A reaction where both reduction and oxidation (in terms of ions) occur
What is reduction in terms of ions
Where ions are gained
What is oxidation in terms of ions
Where ions lose electrons
What does electrolysis require?
Lots of heat and electrical energy
What is cryolite?
A chemical compound of aluminium used to lower the melting point of aluminium oxide to use less energy in electrolysis
