Title: Molten Electrolysis

1) hasWhat
An atom that is anelectrons
lost or gained ion?
2) If an atom loses 3 electrons, 3+ what charge would it have?

3) How many electrons does1 magnesium have in it’s outer

shell?
4) Calcium forms 2a– 2+ ion. How many chloride ions will be
Chloride ions have a -1 charge
needed to balance this charge?
5) Calcium reacts with Calcium
sulphuric acid, producing hydrogen
sulphate
gas and another molecule called a salt. What is the name
of the salt that is produced?
Challenge: Write the formula Al(OH) for aluminium hydroxide.
3
 Learning Objectives
1) State the meaning of the term ‘electrolysis’
2) Explain why ionic substances require high
temperatures to melt
3) Explain how the process of electrolysis can separate
molten ionic substances into their constituent
elements
Task 1: Ionic Task: Watch the video and

compounds
then answer the questions
below.
1) The ions in an ionic
lattice areforces
Electrostatic heldoftogether
attraction
by forces. What is the
name of these forces?
2) The Whyionsare solid
are held in aionic
fixed
compounds
position unable
– to conduct to
electricity
these need to electricity?
conduct be able to flow

A3)lot of
Why are
energy high to
is needed
temperatures
overcome theneeded
strong to
meltforces
electrostatic solidofionic
attraction
compounds?
Challenge: Can you think of
another way that ionic
They can be dissolved in water
compounds could be made
to conduct electricity?
Teacher consolidation (if required)
• When the temperature
increases, the ions
vibrate/move more
• This puts strain on the
electrostatic forces of
attraction causing them to
break
• As the forces are strong, a
lot of energy is required
 Teacher instruction – Electrolysis
basics
Quick task: Copy and label the
diagram below. Can you identify the
positive and negative electrodes?
Lysis – ‘To
Electro – ‘electricity’
break/separate’

Electrolysis – To break/separate
using electricity.
When we have melted/dissolved
the ionic substance to free its
ions, electricity can be used to
separate them
Teacher instruction – Electrolysis
basics
Your teacher will explain this
basic diagram of how you set up
electrolysis apparatus. After –
are you able to state the
meaning of these key terms?

1) The positive
Anode electrode

2) TheCathode
negative electrode

3) Electrolyte
The liquid made up of separated ions
Electrolysis in action – Sodium
chloride
Let’s imagine we heat up sodium chloride
to 800c – it will melt to form a liquid.
Class discussion:
1) What ions would sodium chloride
Na & Cl
+ -
separate into?
2) What Clion would be attracted to
- chlorine gas would form ( Cl (g) )
-
the
anode + what substance do you think 2

would form?
Molten
3) WhatNaion- solid
+
would be attracted to the
sodium would form ( Na(s) )
NaCl cathode + what substance do you
think would form?
 Task: Anode or cathode?
Name of ionic Challenge: Ions within the Ion attracted Substance Ion attracted Substance
compound Symbol substance to the anode produced at to the produced at the
formulae the anode cathode cathode
Sodium chloride
Lead bromide
Aluminium oxide
Aluminium
flouride
Lead (ii) iodide
Potassium sulfide

Task: Complete the table above – for a challenge, write the symbol formulae of the
compounds. The first one is done for you.
 Self assess
Name of ionic Challenge: Ions within the Ion attracted Substance Ion attracted Substance
compound Symbol substance to the anode produced at to the produced at the
formulae the anode cathode cathode
Sodium chloride NaCl Na+ / Cl- Cl- Chlorine / Na+ Sodium / Na (s)
Cl2(g)
Lead bromide PbBr2 Pb2+ / Br- Br- Bromine / Pb2+ Lead / Pb (s)
Br2(g)
Aluminium oxide Al2O3 Al3+ / O2- O2- Oxygen / O2(g) Al3+ Aluminium / Al
(s)
Aluminium AlF3 Al3+ / F- F- Fluorine / F2(g) Al3+ Aluminium / Al
flouride (s)
Lead (ii) iodide FeI2 Fe2+ / I- I- Iodine / I2(l) Fe2+ Iron / Fe (s)
Potassium sulfide K2S K+ / S2- S2- Sulphur / S (s) K+ Potassium / K (s)
Literacy task (optional activity)
Task: Write 2 paragraphs to describe
and explain how potassium iodide can
be electrolysed to form potassium (s)
and iodine (l)
Include:
How it can be melted
Key terminology – eg. ion, electrolyte,
anode, cathode
Challenge: How do you think a
potassium ion is converted into a
potassium atom at the electrode?
Exam practice
 Exam Practice

1)Explain why magnesium

chloride must be molten or
dissolved in water to be
electrolysed. (2)

2)Explain how magnesium is

produced at the negative
electrode in Experiment 1. (3)