Electrolysis Flashcards
What happens when an ionic substance is melted or dissolved in water?
The ions become free to move about within the liquid or solution.
What are the 2 broken down substances called?
Electrolyte.
What happens during electrolysis?
Positive ions move to the negative electrode. Negative ions move to the positive electrode.
What happens at the negative electrode?
Positive ions gain electrons (reduction).
What happens at the positive electrode?
Negative ions lose electrons (oxidation).
What can electrolysis be used for?
Electroplating objects (copper plating, silver plating).
Electrolysing brine.
Extracting aluminium.
What happens if there is a mixture of ions?
The products formed will depend on the reactivity of the elements involved.
How is aluminium manufactured?
By the electrolysis of a molten mixture of aluminium oxide and cryolite.
What is electrolysis?
The process by which ionic substances are broken down into simpler substances using electricity.
