4.4.3.2 - Electrolysis of molten ionic compounds

What is produced when a simple ionic compounded is electrolysed in its molten state at each inert electrode.

When a simple ionic compound is electrolysed in its molten state using inert electrodes, the metal is produced at the cathode and the non-metalis produced at the anode.

So what is produced at each electrode when lead bromide is electrolysed?

Lead is produced at the cathode

Bromine is produced at the anode

Molten compounds are always broken up into there what during electrolysis?

Molten ionic compounds are always broken up into their elements

What happens to the positive metal ions at the cathode?

Positive metal ions are REDUCED to the element at the cathode

E.g. iron ions become iron (Pb2+  +  2e-  = Pb)

What happens to the negative non-metal ions at the anode?

Negative non-mental ions are OXIDISED to the element at the anode

E.g. bromide ions become bromine (2Br- = Br2   +  2e-)