Electrolysis

LEARNING OUTCOMES

6.22. Define electrolysis, cathode,

anode, cation and anion
6.23 Identify ions present in
electrolytes
6.24. Predict the electrode to which an
ion will drift.
 Conductors and electrolytes
■ The movement of electrically charged particles through a
medium constitutes an electric current. The medium of
conduction is known as a conductor.
■ Electrolytes can conduct electricity in their molten and aqueous
states. E.g. dil HCl, NaCl
■ In metals the valence electrons of each atom are loosely held
as they are relatively distant from the nucleus. Thus they can
be easily separated and move about randomly throughout,
conducting electricity.
■ The only non-metal that conducts electricity is graphite. In
graphite, not all electrons are used in bonding. Thus, the free
electrons can move along the layers and carry the electric
current.
 What is Electrolysis ?

Electrolysis is a process by which a substance is

broken up into its components by the passage of
electricity through it.

■ The substance must be an ionic compound and must be

molten or dissolved in water in order for the ions to be
mobile.
■ A direct current must be used for electrolysis.
■ During this process, electrical energy is changed into
chemical energy.
4
DIAGRAM OF ELECTROLYSIS OF
MOLTEN LEAD BROMIDE
 Electrolysis
■ One electrode is connected to the positive terminal of
the battery. It is called the anode. Oxidation occurs here.
■ The other electrode is connected to the negative
terminal of the battery. It is called the cathode.
Reduction occurs here.
■ An electrolyte is a substance that is being electrolysed.
■ An electrolyte is able to conduct electricity due to the
presence of mobile ions.
■ Positive ions are known as cations.
■ Negative ions are known as anions.
 At the electrodes

CATHODE (-) ANODE (+)

(negative electrode) (positive electrode)
■ Negative ions go here
■ Positive ions go here (anions).
(cations) ■ Since non-metal ions are
■ Since metal ions are negative, they go to the
positive, they go to the anode.
cathode. ■ Here ions lose electrons.
■ Here ions gain electrons. They are oxidised and
They are reduced and become neutral atoms
become neutral atoms. (which react together to
form molecules).
 Electrolysis of molten lead bromide
■ Molten lead bromide contains Pb2+ and Br - ions.
■ The Pb2+ ions are attracted to the cathode, while the Br - ions
are attracted to the anode.
■ At the cathode, Pb2+ ions take two electrons to become Pb
atom. We say that the Pb2+ ions are discharged.
Pb2+(l) + 2e- Pb(s)
■ At the anode,, Br - ions give away electrons to become Br liquid.
We say that Br - ions are discharged.
2Br -(l) Br2(l) + 2e-
■ Overall reaction:
PbBr2(l) Pb(s) + Br2(l)
 Electrolysis of Molten Ionic Compounds
■ When electricity passes through the molten ionic compound, the positive
ions will migrate to the negative electrode, also known as cathode, while the
negative ions will migrate to the positive electrode, known as anode.
■ At the cathode, the positive ions will gain electrons and become metal
atoms while the negative ions will lose electrons at the anode and become
non-metallic atoms.

At the Cathode
lead ions gain electrons and become lead atoms, lead ions are discharged .
Pb2+(l) + 2e- Pb (s)
At the Anode
Chloride ions lose electrons and become chlorine gas, chloride ions are
discharged.
2Cl- (l) Cl2 (g) + 2e-
 Electrolysis of other molten compounds

■ When a molten binary ionic compound is

electrolysed, the metal is always produced at the
cathode and non-metal is produced at the anode.
 Quick check 1
1. What is meant by (i) cathode, (ii) anode ?
2. What is meant by an electrolyte? What type of compounds
must electrolytes be?
3. During electrolysis, to which electrode do:
(a) the positive ions of the electrolyte move to;
(b) the negative ions of the electrolyte move to?
4. Predict the products formed when the following substances
(in the molten state) are electrolysed.
Compound Product at Anode Product at Cathode
Potassium chloride, KCl
Calcium fluoride, CaF2
 Solution to Quick check 1

1. (i) Cathode: the electrode connected to the negative terminal of the

battery.
(ii) Anode: the electrode connected to the positive terminal of the
battery.
2. An electrolyte is a substance which conducts electricity when molten or
dissolved in water. Electrolytes must be ionic compounds.
3. (a) The positive ions move to the cathode.
(b) The negative ions move to the anode.
4.
Compound Product at Anode Product at Cathode
Potassium chloride, KCl Chlorine, Cl2 Potassium, K
Calcium fluoride, CaF2 Fluorine, F2 Calcium, Ca