Chapter 6

ELECTROCHEMISTRY
 Electrolytes
• Substances that can conduct
electricity either in molten state or
aqueous solution, and undergo
chemical changes.
• Eg : acids, alkalis, ionic
substances (salt solutions, molten
salts…).
 Non-electrolytes
• Substances that cannot conduct
electricity either in molten state or
aqueous solution.
• Eg: covalent substances ( organic
solvent …).
Are conductors
electrolytes ?
Ionic compounds do not conduct electricity
in solid state – ions are held in a lattice &
do not move freely. However, when they
are melted or dissolve in water, ions are
now free to move. Thus, they can conduct
electricity.
+ − + −
− +
− + − +
+ −
+ − + − +
Solid NaCl Molten / aqueous NaCl
Covalent compounds exist as
molecules in organic solvents.
Thus, they do not conduct electricity.
However, HCl & NH3 in water
conduct electricity.
HCl(l) + H2O(l) → H3O+(aq) + Cl−(aq)

NH3(l) + H2O(l) → NH4+(aq) + OH−(aq)

Electrolysis of molten compounds

Electrolysis – process whereby a

compound is decomposed into its
constituent elements when
electric current passes through an
electrolyte.
An electrolytic cell
Battery

Electrodes

Electrolyte
Electrode
- conductor which carry electric current in &
out of the electrolyte during electrolysis.

Anode
– electrode connected to the positive terminal
of source of electricity.

cathode
– electrode connected to the negative terminal
of source of electricity.
Process of electrolysis involves 2 stages :
(a) Movement of ions to electrodes
Cations (+ve ions ) → cathode (−ve )
Anions (−ve ions ) → anode (+ve )
(b) Discharge of ions
Cations discharged at the cathode by
accepting e− from cathode.
Anions discharged at the anode by
donating e− to the anode.
Electrons flow from anode to cathode
through external circuit.
 Current

+ e− e− −

e− e− Pb2+
Br− Br−
Pb2+
Br− e − e− Pb2+
Pb2+
Pb2+ Br−

Electrolysis of lead (II) bromide

At cathode, Pb2+ ions are discharged by
accepting 2e− to form lead atom.
Half equation: Pb2+(l) + 2e− → Pb(s)

At anode, Br− ion are discharged by donating

2e− to form bromine molecules.
Half equation: 2Br−(l) → Br2(g) + 2e−

Overall equation :
Pb2+(l) + 2Br−(l) → Br2(g) + Pb(s)
Take in meaningful words like a
sponge absorbing water ;
Remain uninfluenced by gossip
like cement that water quickly
evaporates off of.
~ Still Thoughts