ELECTROCHEMISTRY

SEBATIAN
KIMIA
ELEKTROLIT
Bahan yang boleh mengalirkan
arus elektrik dalam keadaan
leburan atau larutan akueus
dan mengalami perubahan
kimia
Contoh:
Sebatian ionik
(i) Larutan asid cair
(ii) Larutan alkali cair
(iii) Leburan garam
(iv) Larutan akues garam

BUKAN ELEKTROLIT
Sebatian kimia yang tidak
boleh mengalirkan arus elektrik
dalam semua keadaan.
Contoh:
Sebatian kovalen
(i) Naftalena
(ii) Larutan gula
(iii) Latex
(iv) Hidrogen klorida dalam pelarut
organik

switch

switch

Elektrod
karbon

Bulb

. .
.
. .
.

..
. ..
.

Heat

Solid lead (II) iodide

Bulb

Carbon
electrodes

.
. .
.
.
.
.
.

Heat

Molten lead (II) iodide

IN A SOLID STATE
Do

not conduct
electricity
Pb 2+
Pb 2+

I-

Pb 2+

I-

Pb 2+

Pb 2+
I-

I-

Pb 2+

IPb 2+
I-

Solid lead (II) iodide

This

is because the
ions are held in a
fixed crystal lattice.
They

are held with

the strong
electrostatic forces
of attraction
Do

not freely move

IN A MOLTEN STATE

Pb

Pb 2+

2+

I
I-

Molten lead (II) iodide

Pb 2+

Can

conduct
electricity
This

is because the
presence of moving
ions. The ions are
free to move in the
molten or aqueous
solution

ELECTROLYTES AND NON

ELECTROLYTES
Classify the following chemicals into electrolytes or nonelectrolytes

Potassium chloride, KCl solution

Molten lead (II) bromide, PbBr2
Glucose solution
Trichloromethane
Molten zinc oxide, ZnO
Sodium chloride, NaCl solution
Ammonia in tetrachloromethane

ELECTROLYSIS
A process of breaking down the chemical
compounds into their constituent elements using
electric current
Example:
Electric current
Molten aluminium oxide (I)

aluminium (s) + oxygen (g)

Electric current

Copper (II) chloride (aq)

copper (s) + chlorine (g)

ELECTROLYTIC CELL
e-

ee-

+ (anode)

- (cathode)

Electrode

Electrode

..

..

.. .

- ..
+
...

Anion

Cation

Electrolyte

ELECTROLYTIC CELL
The

set of apparatus needed to conduct

electrolysis
It consists of a battery, an electrolyte, and two
electrodes (anode and cathode)
Anode - the electrode which is connected to the
positive terminal of an electric source in the
electrolytic cell
Cathode - the electrode which is connected to
the negative terminal of an electric source in the
electrolytic cell

During electrolysis:

ANODE
(POSITIVE ELECTRODE)

CATHODE
(NEGATIVE ELECTRODE)

Anions (negative ions)

will be pulled towards
the anode (positive
electrode)

Cations (positive ions) will

be pulled towards the
cathode (negative
electrode)

At the anode, anions

will be discharged by
releasing the electrons
to the anode

At the cathode, cations will

be discharged by receiving
the electrons from the
cathode

ELECTROLYSIS OF MOLTEN
COMPOUNDS

QUESTIONS
(a) Molten zinc chloride (I) Electric current
(b) Molten aluminium (III) bromide Electric current
(c) Molten zinc (II) iodide Electric current
(d) Molten lead (II) oxide Electric current

Example 1
e-

ee-

+ (anode)

Carbon
electrode

- (cathode)

..

..

.. .

..

...
The ions that presents in electrolyte are:
(i) Anion:
(ii) Cation:

Carbon
electrode

Molten Potassium
Iodide, KI

Example 2
e-

ee-

+ (anode)

Carbon
electrode

- (cathode)

..

..

.. .

..

...
The ions that presents in electrolyte are:
(i) Anion:
(ii) Cation:

Carbon
electrode

Molten zinc oxide,

ZnO

Example 3
e-

ee-

+ (anode)

Carbon
electrode

- (cathode)

..

..

.. .

..

...
The ions that presents in electrolyte are:
(i) Anion:
(ii) Cation:

Carbon
electrode

Molten lead (II)

bromide, PbBr2

Example 4
e-

ee-

+ (anode)

Carbon
electrode

- (cathode)

..

..

.. .

..

...
The ions that presents in electrolyte are:
(i) Anion:
(ii) Cation:

Carbon
electrode

Molten lead (II) oxide,

PbO

Example 5
e-

ee-

+ (anode)

Carbon
electrode

- (cathode)

..

..

.. .

..

...
The ions that presents in electrolyte are:
(i) Anion:
(ii) Cation:

Carbon
electrode

Molten zinc (II)

chloride, ZnCl2

ELECTROLYSIS OF MOLTEN
COMPOUND
e-

ee-

+ (anode)

Carbon
electrode

- (cathode)

..

..

.. .

..

...
The ions that presents in electrolyte are:
(i) Anion:
(ii) Cation:

Carbon
electrode

Molten lead (II)

bromide, PbBr2

ELECTROLYSIS OF MOLTEN
COMPOUND
e-

ee-

+ (anode)

Carbon
electrode

. Br
.. .

- (cathode)

Br-

Br-

..

..
Pb2+

Pb

Br..

Carbon
electrode

2+

Pb
2+

Pb2+

...

Molten lead (II)

bromide

ANODE
(POSITIVE ELECTRODE)

Pb2+ are attracted to the cathode

Br- are attracted to anode

Br- discharge by releasing electrons to the
anode
BrBr + e-

Neutral atoms form and combine to form

neutral bromine molecules
Br + Br

CATHODE
(NEGATIVE ELECTRODE)

Br2 (g)

Pb2+ discharge by receiving electrons

(provided by the battery) at the cathode
to form neutral lead atoms

The half reaction at cathode can be

represented by the half equation
Pb2+(l) + 2e-

The half reaction at anode can be

represented by the half equation
2Br- (l)

Br2 (g) + 2e-

Pb (s)

The Half Equation:

2+
Cathode: Pb (l) + 2e

Anode:

2Br- (l)

Pb (s)
Br 2 (g) + 2e-

Overall Equation:
Pb2+(l) + 2Br- (l)

Pb(s) + Br 2 (g)

Write the half equation and the overall

equation for the electrolysis of these
molten compounds :
(A) Molten potassium iodide, KI
(B) Molten zinc (II) chloride, ZnCl2
(C) Molten lead (II) oxide, PbO

ELECTROLYSIS OF AQUEOUS
SOLUTION
Water molecules in an aqueous solution can slightly dissociate to
produce H+ and OHH2O

H+ (aq) + OH-(aq)

So, aqueous solution contains H+ and OH- and electrolyte

ions
Examples:
Ions present
Aqueous Solution

Anion

Cation

NaCl solution

Cl- , OH-

Na+ , H+

CuSO4 solution
HNO3 solution

If they are more than one cations or anions

attracted, the choice of ion to be discharged
depends on :
Positions of the ions
in the electrochemical series
Concentration of ions
in the electrolyte
Types of
electrodes

Electrochemical Series (pg.101)

CATIONS

K+
Na+
Ca2+
Mg2+
Al 3+
Zn2+
Fe2+
Sn2+
Pb2+
H+
Cu2+
Ag+

ANIONS

FSO42NO3ClBrIOHTendency to
discharge
increases

Positions of the ions

in the electrochemical series
e-

ee-

+ (anode)

- (cathode)

Carbon
electrode

Carbon
electrode
OH-

Cl-

Cu2+
H+

OHCl

H+

Cu2+

Copper (II) chloride

solution, CuCl2

Positions of the ions

in the electrochemical series
Ions that are
attracted

Observation
and
Product
Half
equation

Anode

Cathode

OH- , ClOH- are preferred to be discharged

(OH- is below Cl- in the ES)

H+ , Cu2+
Cu2+are preferred to be discharged
(Cu2+ is below H+ in the ES)

Bubbles of gas, O2
is released
4OH- (aq)

Brown solid, Cu is formed

2H2O (l) + O2 (g) Cu2+ (aq) + 2e+ 4 e-

Cu (s)

Concentration of ions in
electrolyte solutions
Concentration

of ions in electrolyte solution also

can affects the choice of ions to be discharged
An ion that is more concentrated is preferably
discharged
Anode the ions to be discharged is
determined by the concentration of ions
Cathode the ions to be discharged is
determined by the position of the ion in the
E.S

Concentration of ions in
electrolyte solutions
e-

ee-

+ (anode)

- (cathode)

Carbon
electrode

Carbon
electrode
OHCl

H+

Cu2+

Concentrated
copper (II) chloride
solution, CuCl2

Concentration of ions in
electrolyte solutions
Ions that are
attracted

Observation
and
Product
Half
equation

Anode

Cathode

OH- , Cl-

H+ , Cu2+

Cl- are preferred to be discharged

(Cl- is more concentrated)

Cu2+are preferred to be discharged

(Cu2+ is below H+ in the ES)

Yellow bubbles gas, Cl2

Brown solid, Cu is formed

is released
2Cl- (aq)

Cl2 (g) + 2 e-

Cu2+ (aq) + 2e-

Cu (s)

Types of Electrodes
e-

ee-

+ (anode)

- (cathode)

Silver plate

Carbon
electrode

Ag+

Ag+

Ag

Silver nitrate, AgNO3

solution

Types of Electrodes
Anode
Ions

Observation
and
Product
Half
equation

Ag atom releases one electron to form

Ag+

The silver plate corrodes

Ag (s)

Ag+ (aq) + e-

Cathode

Ag+ receives one electron to

form metal atoms

Grey silver solid, Ag is

formed
Ag+ (aq) + e-

Ag (s)

Exercises

Electrolysis of copper (II) sulphate, CuSO4, solution

using carbon electrodes
Anode
Ions that are
attracted
Ion that are
prefer to be
discharged
Observation
Product
Half equation

Cathode

Exercises

Electrolysis of concentrated potassium chloride, KCl,

solution using carbon electrodes
Anode
Ions that are
attracted
Ion that are
prefer to be
discharged
Observation
Product
Half equation

Cathode

Exercises

Electrolysis of nickel (II) sulphate, NiSO4, solution

using nickel plate as anode and cathode
Anode
Half equation
Observation
Product

Cathode

Factors that influence electrolysis

of aqueous solutions
POSITION OF IONS
IN THE ELECTROCHEMICAL
SERIES
CONCENTRATION OF IONS
IN THE ELECTROLYTE
SOLUTION

TYPES OF ELECTRODES

EXTRACTION OF METALS

USES OF ELECTROLYSIS
IN INDUSTRIES

Reacts with a carbonate

metal
to form carbon OF
PURIFICATION
dioxide gas
(CO2),water
METALS
(H2O) and salt

ELECTROPLATING
OF METALS

Extraction of Metals
Electrolysis

can be used to extract metals from

their ores
Reactive metals that are more reactive than
C such as (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al) cannot be
extracted through heating of their metal
oxides with C
They need to be extracted from their molten
ores using the electrolysis process
In this process:
Electrolyte The molten ore
Anode

Carbon electrode

Cathode

Carbon electrode

Example:
Extraction

of aluminium from electrolysis

of molten aluminium oxide, Al2O3

Purification of Metals
Metals

that have been extracted from their

ores are normally not pure. They contains
impurities which need to be removed
These metals can be purified by electrolysis
process
In the purification process
Electrolyte

The solution that contains

the metal ions

Anode
Cathode

The impure metal plate

The pure metal plate

Example:
Purification

of copper

Electroplating of Metals
Many

types of metals can be plated with other

metals through electrolysis.
The aim of metal plating through electrolysis
includes:
(i) making the metal more resistant to corrosion
(ii) making the metal appear more attractive
In the electroplating process
Electrolyte

The solution which contains

ions of plating metal

Anode

Plating metal

Cathode

Metal to be plated

Example:
Electroplating

metal

of a iron spoon with copper

ELECTROLYTIC CELL
eeCarbon
electrode

- (cathode)

ee+ (anode)

Carbon
electrode
Copper (II)
sulphate
solution

VOLTAIC CELL
e-

e-

e
Zn

e-

- (anode)

+ (cathode)

Cu
Copper (II)
sulphate
Zn (s)

Zn2+ (aq) + 2e-

Cu2+ (aq) + 2e(s)

Cu

VOLTAIC CELL
Also

known as galvanic cell

Has two different metals which are immersed
into an electrolyte and connected by wire
Produces electrical energy from the chemical
reactions occurring inside the cell
Chemical energy

Example

: Daniell cell

electrical energy

DANIELL CELL
e-

Zn (-)

e-

e-

e-

(Anode)

Cu (+)
(Cathode)

Dilute H2SO4
(Salt bridge)
ZnSO4 solution
Zn (s)

CuSO4
solution
Zn2+ (aq) + 2e-

Cu2+ (aq) + 2e(s)

Cu

SALT BRIDGE
Can

be made from any electrolyte that does not

react with the electrodes in Daniell Cell
Function :
(i) to allow the flow of the ions so the electric
current is completed
Example:
(i) diluted H2SO4
(ii) sodium nitrate, NaNO3 solution
(iii) Potassium chloride solution, KCl

DANIELL CELL
e-

e-

V
Zn (-)
(Anode)

e-

e-

Cu (+)
(Cathode)

CuSO4
solution
Porous
pot
contains
ZnSO4

Reactivity Series
METALS

K
Na
Ca
Mg
Al
Zn
Fe
Sn
Pb
H
Cu
Ag

MORE
ELECTROPOSITIVE
(negative terminal)

MORE
ELECTRONEGATIVE
(positive terminal)

Anode and Cathode

Anode

the electrode where the process of

donation of electrons takes place
Cathode the electrode where the process of
receiving of electrons takes place
ELECTROLYTIC CELL

VOLTAIC CELL

Negative terminal Cathode

Negative terminal Anode

Positive terminal - Anode

Positive terminal - Cathode

ELECTROCHEMICAL SERIES

Electrochemical Series (pg.101)

CATIONS

K+
Na+
Ca2+
Mg2+
Al 3+
Zn2+
Fe2+
Sn2+
Pb2+
H+
Cu2+
Ag+

ANIONS

FSO42NO3ClBrIOHTendency to
discharge
increases

ELECTROCHEMICAL
SERIES

An arrangement of metals, based on the

tendency of each metal atom to donate electrons

ELECTROCHEMICAL SERIES
The higher the position of a metal in the
electrochemical series:

More electropositive

The greater the tendency

of the metal atoms to
donate electrons

PRINCIPLES DURING CONSTRUCTING

THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SERIES

Potential differences
between two metals in the
voltaic cell

Ability of a metal to
displace another metal
from its salt solution

Potential differences between two

metals in the voltaic cell
When two different metals are immersed in an electrolyte
solution, a potential difference is generated
The value of the potential difference of a simple voltaic
cell is affected by the position of the metals in the
electrochemical series
The further the two metals in the electrochemical series
The larger the value of the cell voltage is produced

Potential differences between two

metals in the voltaic cell
The metal that is more
electropositive

Located higher in the

electrochemical series

Act as the negative terminal

The metal that is less

electropositive

Located lower in the

electrochemical series

Act as the positive terminal

Potential differences between two

metals in the voltaic cell
Mg
Zn
Pb

3.0 V
1.1 V

Cu
Ag

0.4 V
0.5 V

Predict the negative terminal, positive terminal and cell

voltage of the following voltaic cell
(a) Magnesium and silver

(c) zinc and lead

(b) Magnesium and zinc

(d) zinc and silver

Metal Displacement
A metal that is more electropositive can displace
another metal which is less electropositive from
its salt solution
A metal that is located higher in the electrochemical
series can displace another metal which is located
lower in the electrochemical series from its salt
solution
This reaction displacement reaction

Metal Displacement
Example:
Zinc, Zn can displace copper, Cu, from copper (II) nitrate, Cu(NO 3)2
solution
Zn (s) + Cu(NO3)2 (aq)

Zn(NO3)2 (aq) + Cu (s)

Metal
displaced

Zn is more electropositive than copper

Zn can displace Cu from copper (II) nitrate, Cu(NO3)2 solution

The zinc, Zn, will dissolve and brown copper solid, Cu, will form

It can determined the terminals of voltaic cells

IMPORTANCE OF THE
ELECTROCHEMICAL
SERIES

Reacts
with
a carbonate
It can
determined
the
metal
to form carbon
cell voltage
for a pair of
dioxide gasmetals
(CO2),water
(H2O) and salt

It can predicted the

potential of a metal to
displace another metal
from its solution