the process of electrolysis

What happens when an electric current is passed through a molten ionic compound?

The compound decomposes or breaks down

True or false

Process also occurs for aqueous solutions of ionic compounds

True

What are liquids and solutions called when they are able to conduct electricity

Electrolytes

Why can’t covalent compounds undergo electrolysis?

They cannot conduct electricity

What is an electrode

A rod of metal or graphite through which an electric current flows into or out of an electrolyte

What is a electrolyte?

Ionic compound in molten or dissolved solution which conducts electricity

What is an anode?

The positive electrode of an electrolysis cell

Anion

Negatively charged ion that is attracted to the anode

What is a cathode

The negative electrode of an electrolysis cell

what is a cation

Positively charged ion which is attracted to the cathode

What happens with the positive cations at the negative cathode?

Positive cations gain electrons at the negative cathode

What happens with negative anions at the positive anode

Negative anions lose electrons at the positive anode

Why can’t Ionic compounds in the solid state conduct electricity

they have no free ions that can move and carry the charge

In what state ions must be able to move

molten state or when dissolved in a solution, usually aqueous

What happens when the cell is turned on?

an electric current is passed through an electrolyte the ions in the solution start to move towards the electrodes

During electrolysis, how do electrons flow in the external circuit?

From the positive terminal (anode) to the negative terminal (cathode), i.e., from anode to cathode.

What is the pattern of electron flow in electrochemistry?

Alphabetical order: from anode to cathode.

Where do positive ions move during electrolysis?

Migrate Towards the negatively charged electrode (the cathode).

Where do negative ions move during electrolysis?

Migrate Towards the positively charged electrode (the anode).