Name: _______________________________________________

 
 
 
 

Year 11 - electrolysis
 

 
Date:
 
 
 
 
Time: (40 – 45 minutes in total)
 
Total marks available: 36
 
Total marks achieved: ______
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Q1. Most metals are extracted in a blast furnace or by electrolysis.

(a) (i) The chemical equations for two reactions that occur during the extraction of aluminium are

A   Al3+ + 3e- → Al
 B   C + O2 → CO2

For each of these reactions, complete the table to show whether the underlined species is
being oxidised or reduced. In each case, explain your choice.
(3)

(ii) Reaction A takes place at the negative electrode during the extraction of aluminium.
Write an ionic half-equation for the reaction at the positive electrode.
(2)
      ..............................................................................................................................................

(iii) Reaction B gives a waste product during the extraction of aluminium.

What effect does this reaction have on the positive electrodes?
(1)
      ..............................................................................................................................................

      ..............................................................................................................................................

(Total for Question = 6 marks)

Q2. This question is about the extraction and uses of aluminium.

(a) Aluminium is extracted from aluminium oxide by electrolysis.
What are the electrodes made of?
(2)
Negative electrode ........................................................................................................................

Positive electrode ..........................................................................................................................

(b) (i) Explain why the operating temperature would need to be very high if pure aluminium oxide
were used as the electrolyte.
(1)
      ..............................................................................................................................................
      ..............................................................................................................................................

(ii) Describe how the operating temperature is kept low.

(1)
      ..............................................................................................................................................
      ..............................................................................................................................................
      ..............................................................................................................................................

(c) The ionic half-equation for the reaction at the negative electrode is
Al3+ + 3e‾ → Al
What type of reaction is occurring at the negative electrode?
Explain your answer.
(2)
      ..............................................................................................................................................

      ..............................................................................................................................................

(d) The waste gases escaping from the electrolysis cell contain carbon dioxide.
 Describe how the carbon dioxide is formed.

..............................................................................................................................................
      ..............................................................................................................................................
      ..............................................................................................................................................

(2)
(e) Aluminium is used to make cans for food and drinks.

State two properties of aluminium that make it suitable for this use.
You should not refer to cost in your answers.
(2)
1.............................................................................................................................................................

2.............................................................................................................................................................

(Total for Question = 10 marks)

Q3. The diagram shows the diaphragm cell used in the electrolysis of concentrated sodium chloride
solution, NaCl(aq).
(a)  Explain what is meant by the term electrolysis.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(b)  Identify gas A, gas B and solution C.

(3)
gas A ............................................................................................................

gas B .............................................................................................................

solution C ........................................................................................................

(c)  Sodium is manufactured by the electrolysis of molten sodium chloride, NaCl(l).

Sodium is produced at the negative electrode and chlorine is produced at the positive electrode.

(i)  Why does the sodium chloride have to be molten before it will conduct electricity?
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(ii)  The ionic half-equation for the formation of sodium is

 Na+ + e− → Na
Write the ionic half-equation for the formation of chlorine from chloride ions.
(2)

.............................................................................................................................................

 
(Total for question = 8 marks)

Q4. Bromine is an element in Group 7 of the Periodic Table.

(b) Bromine is formed by the electrolysis of molten lead(II) bromide.
The diagram shows the apparatus used.

(i) Solid lead(II) bromide contains ions.

Why does solid lead(II) bromide not conduct electricity?

(1)
      ..............................................................................................................................................

      .............................................................................................................................................

(ii) The formula of lead(II) bromide is PbBr2.

During electrolysis, brown fumes of bromine appear at electrode A.
The ionic half-equation for the reaction at electrode A is

Why is this reaction described as oxidation?

(1)
      ..............................................................................................................................................

      ...............................................................................................................................................

(iii) Write an ionic half-equation for the reaction at electrode B and describe the
appearance of the product.

(2)
Ionic half-equation   ..................................................................................................................

Appearance of product ..............................................................................................................

(Total for question = 4 marks)

Q5. (a) The table shows some results of the electrolysis of aqueous solutions using inert electrodes.
The solutions were
electrolysed under the same conditions.
Use the information given to complete the table.
(3)

(b) Water can be decomposed by electrolysis using this apparatus.

 (c) (i) The overall equation for the decomposition of water is
2H2O(l) → 2H2(g) + O2(g)
Use this equation to explain why the volume of hydrogen collected should be twice that of the
volume of oxygen.
(1)
      ..............................................................................................................................................

      ..............................................................................................................................................

(ii) The volume of oxygen collected is always slightly less than expected, even though there are no
leaks in the
apparatus.
Suggest a reason for this.
(1)
      ..............................................................................................................................................

      ..............................................................................................................................................

(Total for Question = 5 marks)

Q6. Potassium chloride, KCl, is very similar to sodium chloride, NaCl. They have the same type of
crystal structure, and their aqueous solutions can be electrolysed to give similar products.
The diagram shows part of the structure of potassium chloride.

(a)  The diagram shows apparatus used to electrolyse aqueous potassium chloride in the
laboratory.
(ii)  Hydrogen gas is formed at the negative electrode.

Write an ionic half-equation for the formation of hydrogen.

(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

(iii)  Describe a test to show that the gas collected is hydrogen.

(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 3 marks)

Challenge question – only complete this question if you have

spare time (it will not go towards your test)
Q7.A student investigates electrolysis using this apparatus.

(a)  The student electrolyses KCl(aq) and collects samples of any gases formed.
Complete the following diagram to show how to assemble the apparatus.
Label the diagram to show the potassium chloride solution.
(3)
(b)  The table shows the half-equation for the reaction at one electrode.
Complete the table to show the half-equation for the reaction at the other electrode and the
polarity (+ or –) of each electrode.
(2)