Electrolysis

electrolysis meaning

splitting up using electricity → to extract very reactive metals from compounds

PANIC

• Positive

• Anode

• Negative

• Is

• Cathode

What are electrodes made of ?

graphite (carbon)

Why are electrodes made of graphite?

• conducts electricity

• unreactive (inert)

Electrolyte

• the substance being split apart

• ionic salt solution → liquid (molten) or aqueous (dissolved in water)

• in liquid ions are free to move an carry charge

Which electrode do cations go to?

positive so they’re attracted to negative cathode

Which electrode do anions go to?

negative so will go to the anode

Can electrolysis be done with non-metals?

Yes, it forms only gas as hydrogen is a positive ion

How are ionic compounds separated?

• metals always go to cathode

• non-metals always go to anode

How is the compound lead bromide separated?

product at cathode : lead

product at anode: bromine

What happens at the anode ?

• positive (always oxidation)

• negative ions are attracted to the positive anode

• they always give away their negative charge (electron) and become an atom

cathode

• negative (always reduction)

• the positive ions are attracted to the negative cathode

• they gain negative charge (an electron) and become an atom