Electrolysis of Solutions Flashcards
What competes with the ions from the salt in the elecrolysis of solutions?
Water.
Where can water be reduced?
At the cathode.
Where can water be oxidised?
At the anode.
Why is hydrogen gas produced by the reduction of water?
As more reactive metals remain as ions.
What is produced by the reduction of water?
Hydrogen gas.
What metals are plated (deposited) on the cathode?
Less reactive metals such as copper and zinc.
What will be at the cathode?
Positive ions from the salt and the water the salt is dissolved in.
What will be at the anode?
Negative ions from the salt and the water the salt is dissolved in.
Why does the halogen form at the anode?
The halide ion has a greater tendency to lose an electron and be oxidised than water.
Why is oxygen gas formed at the anode?
Other negative ions such as sulfates and nitrates have a lower tendency to be oxidised than water.
What happens when the anode and metal ion are the same?
The metal anode loses mass as the metal atoms change to metal ions and go into solution.
