Electrolysis
passing an electric current through an ionic compound to break it down.
rules
- a metal goes to the cathode only when it is less reactive than hydrogen, if not, hydrogen appears.
- if a halide is present, it goes to the anode, if not, oxygen appears.
- oxidation happens at the anode
- reduction happens at the cathode
reactivity series
- potassium
- sodium
- calcium
- magnesium
- aluminium
- carbon
- zinc
- iron
- tin
- lead
- hydrogen
- copper
- silver
- gold
- platinum
solid ionic compounds cannot conduct electricity. the ions are locked in place and are not free to move.
liquids that conduct electricity are called electrolytes
negative electrode is cathode
positive electrode in anode
carbon graphite electrodes are inert (unreactive) apart from when the electrolyte contains aluminium.
the electrodes must not touch each other - it will short circuit.