Electrolysis

Prepared by M. Wright

Mr. M. Wright

Electrolysis

Electricity

Splitting

Breaking down of an electrolyte by the

passage of an electric current

Prepared by M. Wright

Introductory Homework
1.

Define the terms: cathode, anode, cation and anion

2.

State at which electrode oxidation and reduction

takes place. Explain your answer

3.

Differentiate between a weak and a strong

electrolyte giving three examples of each

4.

Give three differences between electrical

conduction in a metal and electrolytic conduction in
an electrolyte

5.

Differentiate between active and inert electrodes

giving two examples of each

Prepared by M. Wright

Define the terms: cathode, anode, cation and

anion
Cation

positive ion; anion negative ion

Electrode

part of the circuit in contact with

electrolyte

Cathode

negative electrode; anode positive

electrode

Cations

migrate to the cathode, where they gain

electrons and are reduced

Anions

migrate to the anode, where they lose

electrons and are oxidized
Prepared by M. Wright

Differentiate between a weak and a strong

electrolyte giving three examples of each
Strong
Salts,
E.g.

electrolyte fully ionized in solution

strong acids, strong base

NaCl, MgSO4, H2SO4, HNO3, NaOH, KOH

Weak

electrolyte partially ionized in solution

Weak

acids, weak bases, H2O

E.g.

CH3COOH, NH3,

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Give three differences between electrical conduction in a

metal and electrolytic conduction in an electrolyte
Metal

Electrolyte

Can conduct in the solid state

Only conduct when molten or

in solution

Carried by electrons

Carried by ions

Current flowing is constant

Current flowing is dependent

on the strength of the
electrolyte

No change occur in the metal.

Once the current stop flowing the
conductor goes back to its original
state

Cations and anions move in

opposite direction and are
decomposed. Does not return
to original state.

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Differentiate between active and inert

electrodes giving two examples of each
Inert

electrodes take no part in the electrolysis

process. They only conduct electricity into and out of
the cell.

E.g.

graphite, platinum

Active

electrodes are involved in the electrolysis

process.

E.g.

Cu electrodes in the electrolysis of copper (II)

sulfate solution.

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Electrolytic Cell

Prepared by M. Wright

Electrolysis
Cations

move towards the cathode where they gain

electrons and are reduced

Anions

move towards the anode where they lose

electrons and are oxidized

E.g.

the electrolysis of molten sodium chloride (in

the liquid state)

Cathode:
Anode:
Prepared by M. Wright

Na+(l) + e- Na(s)
2Cl-(l) Cl2(g) + 2e-

Electrolysis of aqueous electrolyte

Ions

will be present from both the solute and water.

H2 O

H+, OH-

HCl(aq)

H+, Cl-, OH-

NaOH(aq)

Na+, H+, OH-

NaCl(aq)

Na+, H+, OH-, Cl-

CuSO4(aq)

Cu2+, H+, OH-, SO42-

KBr(aq)

K+, H+, Br-, OH-,

Prepared by M. Wright

Electrolysis of aqueous electrolyte

The cation that is lower in the reactivity series

will be preferentially discharged.

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Electrolysis of aqueous electrolyte

For

a concentrated halide solution (chloride,

bromide, iodide), the halide ion will be oxidized.

Otherwise
4OH-(aq)

hydroxide will be oxidized

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

Prepared by M. Wright

Electrolysis of aqueous electrolyte

Concentrated
NaCl(aq)

Diluted NaCl(aq)

Cations present

Na+, H+

Na+, H+

Cation reduced
Anions present

H+
Cl-, OH-

H+
Cl-, OH-

Anion oxidized

Cl-

OH-

Conc. NaCl
Cathode: 2H+(aq) + 2e- H2(g)
Anode:
2Cl-(aq) Cl2(g) + 2eDiluted NaCl(aq)
Cathode: 2H+(aq) + 2e- H2(g)
Anode:
4OH-(aq) 2H2O(l) + O2(g) + 4ePrepared by M. Wright

Faradays Laws of Electrolysis

Faradays

First Law of Electrolysis

The

mass of a substance produced during electrolysis

is directly proportional to the quantity of electricity
passed through the electrolyte.

Faradays
The

Second Law of Electrolysis

mass of a substance produced during electrolysis

is dependent on the molar mass of the substance.
Prepared by M. Wright

Faradays Laws of Electrolysis

Quantity

of Electricity (Q)

This

is the product of the current (in amperes) flowing the

electrolyte and the time (in seconds) for which it flows.

=Ixt

current in A

time in s
Prepared by M. Wright

Faradays Laws of Electrolysis

Example 1

A solution of copper sulfate was 5A of electricity was passed

electrolyzed by passing 12A of
through a solution of sodium
electricity through the solution chloride for 5mins. Calculate Q.
for 150s. Calculate Q.

Example 2

Q=Ixt

Q=Ixt

Q = 5 x (5 x 60)

Q = 12 x 150

Q = 1500C

Q = 1800C
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Faradays Laws of Electrolysis

Faraday

Constant (F)

This

is the quantity of electricity required

to remove / deposit one mole electrons.

1F

= 96500Cmol-1

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Faradays Laws of Electrolysis

Na+ +

Cl2 + 2e-

= 2 x 96500

Al3+

1F

= 96,500C

2Cl

1e- Na

+ 3e- Al

= 3 x 96500

Prepared by M. Wright

2F
= 193,000C
3F

= 289,500

Faradays Laws of Electrolysis

Example 3

0.4F was passed through

molten sodium chloride.
Determine:

= 0.4 x 23

= 9.2g

The number of moles Na

The mass of Na

Na+(l) + e- Na(s)

1F 1mol

0.4F 0.4mol
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Mass

= mol. x molar mass

Faradays Laws of Electrolysis

Example 4

24A of electricity was passed

through molten magnesium
oxide for 12mins.

Write an equation for the

reaction at the cathode

Determine the # of mol. Mg and

hence the mass

Calculate Q in C and F

Write an equation for the

reaction at the anode

Determine the # of mol. O2 and

hence the volume at RTP

=Ixt

= 24 x (12 x 60)

= 17280C

# of F = 17280 / 96500

Prepared by M. Wright

= 0.18F

Faradays Laws of Electrolysis

Example 5

6A of electricity was passed through a solution of copper

sulfate (CuSO4) for 15mins.

Identify the ions at both electrodes

Write equations for the reactions occurring at both electrodes

Calculate Q in C and F

Determine the number of moles of product at the cathode and

hence the mass

Determine the number of moles of product at the anode and

hence the volume

Prepared by M. Wright