TASK 1: ESSAY WRITING

Chemistry field plays a very significant role in improving humans’ life through its chemical
process and reaction. There are various type of chemical process and reaction that have been
widely used over the world. Two of them are electrolysis and nuclear chemistry. Tan (2008) stated
that, electrolysis is a process by which electric current is passed through a substance to effect a
chemical change. The chemical change is one in which the substance loses (oxidation) or gains
an electron (reduction). The process is carried out in an electrolytic cell. Electrolysis can be used
to separate a substance into its original components/elements and it was through this process
that a number of elements have been discovered and are still produced in today's industry (Varda
& Ebtisam, 2017). Chau (2012) also mentioned that during electrolysis, ionic substances are
decomposed into simpler substance when an electric current is passed through them. Now we
know what electrolysis is all about. While for Nuclear chemistry, it is the study of the chemical and
physical properties of elements as influenced by changes in the structure of the atomic nucleus
(Carlos, 2009). Modern nuclear chemistry, sometimes referred to as radiochemistry. So, that are
the overviews of electrolysis and nuclear chemistry. Both of these chemistry sub-fields are very
important for human life. They have been applied in our daily life without we even notice.

As for electrolysis, the most important application in our life is for electroplating. This is a
process of cover articles made of cheap metals by a thin covering of precious such as iron with
nickel or chromium of silver or gold (Sastry, 2016). Electroplating has thousands of uses
especially in industry. Electroplating can offer a number of important features and benefits that
can help improve the quality of manufacturing processes. Electroplating is applied for many
purposes such as to improve aesthetic value, protection and conductivity. As for aesthetic
purpose, some metals are considered more attractive and valuable compares to other metal. For
example, Aurum and Argentum, or better known as gold and silver. However, as we all know both
of these metals are very expensive and difficult to get. Thus, through electroplating, a very thin
layer of gold or silver will used to coat a less valuable metal. This makes the final products seems
more attractive and expensive.

Besides, the other purpose of electroplating is conductivity. As for conductivity, plating

certain metals can enhance electrical conductivity making them more effective to be used as
electronics and electrical components (Andrew, 2018). Again, gold and silver are very good
conductors of electricity but as mentioned before, they are very expensive. Thus, through

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electroplating techniques, very smalls amount of these valuable, highly conductive metals can be
incorporated into electronic components and integrated circuit. Next, as for protection purpose,
electroplating important to protect metals from corrosion. Electroplating can also protect surfaces
by covering them with a thin layer of metal that will be more resistant to corrosion than the material
of which they are primarily composed. For example, zinc and cadmium protect the underlying
surface by being more reactive, corroding before the base metal underneath while copper, nickel
and chromium work by forming a protective, un-reactive coating. So, these shows that
electroplating is very important in which proved the importance of electrolysis as well.

Apart from electroplating, electrolysis is very important in extraction and refining of metals.
There is no metal which is obtain purely when it is mined from the earth. So, we need to refining
the metals before we use. Extraction is a process of removing valuable metals from an ore and
refining the extracted raw metals into a purer form (El-Nadi, 2017). In order to convert a metal
oxide or sulphide to a purer metal, the ore must be reduced physically, chemically, or
electrolytically (Houck & Siegel). As for electrolytically, in the process of refining the metals, the
impure metal extracted from its ore is made anode, the salt of the metal is made electrolyte
(Zolotov, 2008). Pure metal deposits on the cathode. As mentioned before, there is no metal
which is obtain purely when it is mined from the earth. Thus, extraction and refining of metals is
very important and proved that electrolysis is significance for humans’ life.

Besides, electroforming is also one of the importance of electrolysis. Electroforming is a

process of forming metals. The parts of various shape are produces by electrolytic deposition of
metal upon a conductive removable mould (Hua, 2018). It is widely used for the reproduction of
coins, medals and engraving. During the process of electroforming, a mould is first made by
impressing the object in wax. The surface of wax, which bears exact impression of the object, is
coated by powdered graphite in order to make conductor. The mould is then dipped in electrolytic
cell as a cathode. After obtaining coating of desire thickness, the article is removed and the wax
core is melted out of the metal shell (Surupa, 2017). The difference between electroplating and
electroforming is that in the electroplating process, the metal permanently sticks to the cathode,
whereas in electroforming, a solid shell is produced around the cathode which can be separated
from it (Ron, 2018). So, electroforming is one of the importance of electrolysis in our life.

Now, let us discuss on the second important process in chemistry field, nuclear chemistry.
The best-known benefit and application of nuclear chemistry is in medical. There are many
applications of radiation in the medical field, ranging from diagnostics, to treatment and disease
management. One of the treatments that applied nuclear chemistry is radiotherapy. It is the use

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of ionising radiation to treat cancer. Radiotherapy can be carried out externally, usually with a
high energy beam of x-rays. It can also be carried out internally. Internal radiotherapy is when a
radioactive liquid is swallowed or injected, or a small piece of radioactive material is placed
temporarily in or close to the cancerous cells (Wukelich, 2014). Besides radiotherapy, x-ray also
a very common diagnostic method in medical. X-rays are the most common form of ionising
radiation used in medicine. The difference in absorption efficiency creates the contrast in x-ray
picture, allowing doctors to see inside the body without the need for surgery. Using x-ray, it is
useful for checking broken bones while a chest x-ray can be used to diagnose lung diseases such
as pneumonia. Thus, nuclear chemistry is very important as it helps human in medicine.

Apart from medical field, Nuclear chemistry is very useful in agriculture. In agriculture,
radioactive materials are used to improve crops, preserve food, and control insect pests. They
are also used to measure soil moisture content, erosion rate and the efficiency of fertilizer uptake.
The use of gamma rays and electron beams in irradiating foods to control disease causing micro-
organisms and to extend shelf life of food products is growing throughout the world (Colbie, 2013).
Besides radioisotopes assist in enhancing food production. One method is the control of insects,
including the control of screw worms, fruit flies and tsetse flies, is through the sterile insect
technique. The technique is the sterilization of insects that are considered plagues. These insects
are raised in special sites and irradiated before incubation. The sterile insects are then
disseminated to infected areas. Since they do not produce descendants, the plague’s population
goes down and is eventually eradicated. Thus, it proved that nuclear chemistry is very significant
to our life.

Based on all of the explanations and examples given previously, it is undeniable that
electrolysis and nuclear chemistry are both important to us as it improve the quality of our life as
humans. However, besides all these benefits and importance, this sub-field of chemistry also
have their consequences which has been an issue. As for electrolysis, the main issue is
environmental issue. The industries using electrolysis release large amounts of effluents as
wastes. Authorities regulate a particular amount of waste that should be regulated not more than
that. There are very few metal finishing plants from which the rinse waters can be discharged
directly to the sewers as the contaminant concentrations are outside the limits set by local
authorities. Meanwhile, as for nuclear chemistry in medicine, there is a threat of severe allergic
reaction with this nuclear medicine. Most of the side effects that people experience when using
tracers or undergoing a treatment involve dizziness, abnormal heart rhythms, headaches, and a

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temporary dip in their blood pressure numbers (Natalie, 2019). Besides, it may also give impacts
on women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

In conclusion, every method or process will have their advantages and disadvantages.
However, apart from all the disadvantages, we know that the advantages are way more important
and beneficial for us as a human being. They help us in many ways and many fields. Despite of
stop using all this process, why don’t we, as a human think a way on how to overcome all the
disadvantages and consequences so that we can apply it without any worries.

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Carlos, B. (2009). Nuclear Reaction. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/45

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Chau, K. Y. (2012). Express Chemistry Form 4. Bangi, Selangor: Pelangi Publishing Sdn. Bhd.

Colbie, P. (2013). Nuclear Chemistry. Retrieved from https://prezi.com/ssafajv6pggi/nuclear-

chemistry/

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Metals: Classic Approach. Separation & Purification Reviews, Vol.46, No. 3, 195-215.

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Sastry (2016). What are The Uses of Electrolysis? Retrieved from https://www.aplustopper.com/u
ses-electrolysis/

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Surupa, S. (2017). Electroforming: Process and Advantages. Retrieved from
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