Electrolytic cells personal notes

Electrolysis

A process by which an electric current breaks chemical bonds. Forcing a non spontaneous redox reaction to occur

Electrolysis of water

The decomposition of water into oxygen and hydrogen gas due to an electric current being passed through the water

The external power supply

Acts as an electron pump, the electric energy is used to do work on the electrons to force an electron transfer inside an electrolytic cell

Products + electrical energy

reactants

An electrolytic cell has a ___________ cell potential

negative

What is required to force the reaction?

an applied voltage of at least the absolute value of the standard cell potential. Nothing less or the reaction will not occur.

secondary cell

A cell that can be recharged
(ex: nickel cadmium cell).

as the secondary cell discharges

electrical energy is spontaneously produced and the cell functions as an electric cell

when the secondary cell is recharged

the electrical energy forces the products to react and re form the original reactants. During this time the cell is functioning as an electrolytic cell.

molten salt electrolysis

metal cations move to the cathode and are reduced to metals and non metal anions move to the anode and are oxidized to non metals.