Notes

Grade: 8 Sub: Science

Chapter: Chemical effects of electric current

Answer the following

1. Define the term ionization.

When electricity is passed into electrolytes, atoms tend to lose or gain electrons forming ions. These ions
act as carriers of current in electrolytes. Strong acids, bases and salts ionize faster and are good
conductors. Weak acids, bases and salts are poor conductors as they ionize very slowly.

2. Differentiate between conduction in solids and liquids

solids liquids
Electrons carry current Ions carry current
Produces physical changes such as heating effect, Produces chemical changes such as electrolysis
magnetic effect, lighting effect etc

3. Air is supposed to be a poor conductor of electricity, but it allows current to pass through during
lightning and thunder. How?

Air does not conduct electricity in the way that metals do. metals have free electrons that move easily
throughout the whole metal carrying current. Small voltages move the electrons and a current can flow.

In the case of air and many other materials there are electrons present, but they are firmly bound to
individual atoms and molecules and cannot move about the way the free electrons do in metals.

Lightning is high voltage electricity and it creates a strong electric field. Gaseous atoms present in air lose
or gain electrons during lightning and form ions (+ve or -ve). So with large voltage of electricity, it is
possible to generate electrons that can move freely in a gas and conduct electricity - as in the example of
lightning.

4. Give reason

a. Tin is coated over iron utensils.

Tin is coated over iron utensils as it is less reactive than iron and the food will be stored safe.

5. Compare the conductivity of the following giving reason : a. sea water, tap water and distilled water

b. hydrochloric acid and vinegar

sea water is the best conductor Tap water is a better conductor Distilled water do not conduct
of electricity due to the presence than distilled water, but not as current as it do not contain any
 of dissolved salt in it. good as sea water as it contains dissolved salt. All the dissolved
some dissolved salts in it. salt had been removed by
distillation

Hydrochloric acid is a strong electrolyte because it Vinegar is electrolyte electrolyte because it is a

is a stronger acid and strong acids ionize faster weak acid and weak acids ionize slowly or may
not ionise
+ -
HCl →H +Cl

6. Name 3 liquids which will deflect the needle of the compass and give reason for your answer.

Lemon juice, salt water and hydrochloric acid will deflect the needle as they are electrolytes. Electric field
is always associated with a magnetic field. The magnetic field associated with electric field will interact
with the magnetic field of the needle causing deflection .

7. What is the purpose of one long and another shorter lead of a LED?
Ans. The objective of having one long and one shorter LED lead is to ensure that the longer lead is
constantly connected to the positive terminal of the battery and the shorter lead is always linked to the
negative terminal.