Title: Molten Electrolysis – Half Equations

Starter: Can you write

the symbol formulae
for these ten ionic
compounds? Use
your help sheet to
support
 Learning Objectives
1) State the products that are formed at each electrode
in the molten electrolysis of ionic compounds
2) Identify each formation as oxidation or reduction
3) Write ionic and half equations to display the changes
that take place in terms of electrons
Last lesson you completed this table. In this lesson
we will learn how + why these changes happen:
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)
Teacher instruction: Reduction and Oxidation
In chemical reactions – an atom or
ion might lose or gain electrons
• If the atom/ion loses electrons
then we say it has been
oxidised/it is a oxidation
reaction Use the mnemonic
• If the atom/ion gains electrons ‘Oilrig’ to help you
then we say it has been remember
reduced/it is a reduction
reaction
 Task 1: Oxidation or reduction?
Task: You have been given 7 ions – if
1) O2- Oxidation
these were to form atoms, would the
2) Br- Oxidation
reaction be oxidation or reduction?
3) Na+ Reduction Label each one
4) Ca2+ Reduction

Oxidation
5) P3- Challenge: Identify whether these
6) N3- Oxidation
reactions would take place at the
7) Ar Neither
anode or the cathode
 Teacher Example: Lets say we melt sodium
instruction: Half 1)
chloride and electrolyse it.
Na+ / Cl-
What are the ions?
equations 2) What electrode will
Na+ - Cathode
attracted to?
/ Clthey
-
be
- Anode

Cathode – Sodium Na (s)/ Anode – Chlorine Cl2 (g)

3) What substance will be formed?

Example half equation:

Anode:
A half equation is a way of displaying a chemical
2Cl- (l) -> Cl2(g) + 2e-
reaction but only including any details of electron
transfer. You will see plenty of examples. Example half equation:
Cathode:
Na+ (l) + e- -> Na(s)
Let’s practice writing them – I do
Write half equations for the electrolysis of molten
potassium fluoride (KF)
Let’s practice writing them – We do
Write half equations for the electrolysis of molten aluminium
oxide (Al2O3)
Let’s practice writing them – You do
More practice
Self assess
Further modelling (if required)
Exam practice