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A Chemistry Electrolysis Project
A Chemistry Electrolysis Project
ELECTROLYTES
Lij wynter
CHEMISTRY 504
What is Electrolysis?
What is an electrolyte?
Cathode Reaction:
2 H (+) + 2e (-) ==> H2
The hydrogen ions (H+) are attracted to the negative cathode and are
discharged as hydrogen gas.
Anode Reaction:
2 H2O ==> O2 + 4 H (+) + 4 e (-)
But the sulfate ion is too stable and nothing happens. Instead either
hydroxide ions or water molecules are discharged and oxidized to form
oxygen.
The hydroxide ions or water molecules are oxidized to oxygen gas
molecules by electron loss at the positive electrode
Overall equation for the electrolysis of water: 2H2O (l) ==> 2H2 (g) + O2
(g)
Cathode Reaction:
The negative () cathode attracts the Na+ (from sodium chloride)
and H+ ions (from water). Only the hydrogen ions are discharged at the
cathode. The more reactive a metal, the less readily its ion is reduced on the
electrode surface.
The hydrogen ions are reduced by electron (e) gain to form hydrogen
molecules at the negative electrode which attracts positive ions.
Overall equation for the electrolysis of brine: 2NaCl (aq) + 2H2O (l) ==>
H2 (g) + Cl2 (g) + 2NaOH (aq)
Products:
A copper deposit forms as the positive copper ions are attracted to the
negative electrode (cathode)
The traces of hydrogen ions are not discharged, so you not see any gas
collected above the negative electrode.
The blue colour of the copper ion will fade as the copper ions are converted
to the copper deposit on the cathode
The negative sulphate ions (SO42-) or the traces of hydroxide ions (OH) are
attracted to the positive electrode. 6
But the sulfate ion is too stable and nothing happens. Instead either
hydroxide ions or water molecules are discharged and oxidized to form
oxygen.
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