B6 Sodium chloride is used in making many important chemicals including chlorine and hydrogen.

(a) Write the electrode reactions for the electrolysis of molten sodium chloride.

Which electrode reaction is an oxidation? Explain your answer. [3]

(b) Explain why the electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride using inert electrodes gives
hydrogen. [1]

(c) Explain the three stages in the purification of water supplies. [3]

(d) Hydrogen is used to manufacture ammonia, NH3. Calculate the volume of hydrogen needed
to react completely with 240 dm3 of nitrogen, all gas volumes measured at room
temperature
and pressure. [3]

B8 The NASA space shuttle uses fuel cells to generate electricity. The diagram below shows a
hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell.
external circuit

hydrogen in oxygen in

Na+ (aq)
electrolyte

negative electrode positive electrode

t
h
e

m
a
Water s
At the positive electrode, oxygen reacts with water as shown. s

O2(g) + 2H2O(l) + 4e– → 4OH–(aq) o

f
At the negative electrode, hydrogen reacts with hydroxide ions as shown. w
a
H2(g) + 2OH–(aq) → 2H2O(l) + 2e– t
e
The overall reaction in the fuel cell is the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to r

make water. (a) Give one source for hydrogen and one source for oxygen for use in a f
o
fuel cell. r
m
e
d
(c) What type of reaction takes place, reduction or oxidation, at the positive .
electrode? Explain your answer. A
l
(d) A fuel cell uses 240 dm3 of hydrogen. Calculate the volume of oxygen needed, and l
 gas volumes measured at room temperature and pressure.

(e) Describe some advantages and disadvantages of using a fuel cell to generate
electricity. [3]
A5 Electrolysis is the decomposition of a liquid by the passage of an electrical current.

(a) Aqueous copper(II) sulphate contains the following ions, Cu2+, H+, OH– and SO42–.
Aqueous copper(II) sulphate can be electrolysed using inert electrodes.

The electrode reactions are represented below.

cathode Cu2+ + 2e– → Cu

anode 4OH– → O2 + 2H2O + 4e–
(i) Explain why copper, not hydrogen, is formed at the cathode.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

(ii) Explain why the formation of oxygen at the anode is an example of oxidation.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

(iii) The electrolysis of aqueous copper(II) sulphate using copper electrodes has a
different anode reaction.
Give the equation for the electrode reaction at the anode.

................................................................................................................................... [3]

(b) Molten lead(II) bromide decomposes when an electric current is passed through it.

(i) Explain why solid lead(II) bromide will not conduct electricity but molten
lead(II) bromide will.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

(ii) Construct the equations for the two electrode reactions.

cathode ..................................................................................................................... anode

........................................................................................................................
[4]
A5 Chlorine, hydrogen and sodium hydroxide are made by the electrolysis of concentrated
aqueous sodium chloride.

(a) Aqueous sodium chloride contains the following ions, Na+, H+, OH– and Cl –.

Concentrated aqueous sodium chloride can be electrolysed using inert electrodes. The

electrode reactions are represented below.

cathode 2H+ + 2e– → H2 (i)

anode 2Cl – → Cl 2 + 2e–
Exp
 lain why hydrogen, not sodium, is formed at the cathode. gra
phi
................................................................................................................................... te
ele
................................................................................................................................... ctr
od
(ii) Suggest why, as the electrolysis proceeds, the concentration of sodium es.
hydroxide in the electrolyte increases. Name
the
................................................................................................................................... product
formed
................................................................................................................................... [2] at each
(b) Describe a chemical test for each of the gases produced during the electrolysis electrod
of concentrated aqueous sodium chloride. e.

(i) chlorine product

................................................................................................................................... at

................................................................................................................................... anode .

(ii) hydrogen ............

................................................................................................................................... ............

................................................................................................................................... [2] ............

(c) Describe the use of chlorine in the purification of water. ............

..................................................................................................................................... ............
.....
............
.....................................................................................................................................
.[1] ............

(d) Describe an advantage of using hydrogen as a possible fuel in the future. ............

..................................................................................................................................... .....
.....
product
.....................................................................................................................................
.[1] at

(e) Name the products, if any, of the reaction of chlorine with cathod

(i) aqueous potassium fluoride, e ........

................................................................................................................................... ............

(ii) aqueous sodium bromide. ............

................................................................................................................................... [2] ............

............
A5 (a) Concentrated aqueous sodium chloride contains H+ and OH–
ions. ............
(i) Give the formulae of two other ions present in concentrated aqueous ............
sodium chloride.
............
..............................................................................................................................[1]
...[2]
(ii) Concentrated aqueous sodium chloride is electrolysed using inert
 (b) Impure copper can be purified by electrolysis.

Draw a labelled diagram of the electrolytic cell that can be used to purify copper.

[3]

(c) Aluminium is extracted commercially from an aluminium ore by electrolysis.

(i) Name an ore containing aluminium.

..............................................................................................................................[1]

(ii) Name the element used as the anode in this process.

.............................................................................................................................

.[1]

[Tota

l: 8]

A3 Electrolysis involves the decomposition of a compound by the passage of an electric

current.

(a) (i) Complete the table, which relates to the electrolysis of different solutions using inert
electrodes.

electrolyte ions in product at product at

electrolyte anode cathode
dilute aqueous K+, H+, OH–
oxygen hydrogen
potassium nitrate and NO3–
concentrated
Na+, H+,
aqueous sodium chlorine hydrogen
OH– and Cl–
chloride
dilute aqueous Cu2+, SO42–,
copper(II) sulfate H+ and OH– ........................ ........................
dilute sulfuric acid
....................
oxygen hydrogen
....................
[3]
 (ii) Explain why the electrolysis of concentrated aqueous sodium chloride
liberates hydrogen rather than sodium at the cathode.

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

(iii) The electrolysis of dilute aqueous sodium chloride liberates oxygen at the anode.
Suggest why the electrolysis of concentrated aqueous sodium chloride
liberates chlorine rather than oxygen.

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) Aqueous copper(II) sulfate was electrolysed using copper electrodes. The copper anode
lost mass as copper(II) ions were formed and the copper cathode gained mass as copper
atoms were formed.

(i) State one industrial application of this electrolysis.

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

(ii) The results of an experiment involving the electrolysis of aqueous copper(II) sulfate are
shown below
.

temperature of current used time of electrolysis mass of copper formed at

electrolyte / °C / amps /s the cathode / g
20 1.0 1000 0.329
20 2.0 1000 0.658
20 2.0 2000 1.320
25 2.0 2000 1.320
30 1.0 1000 0.329

Use the information in the table to describe how each of the variables affects
the mass of copper formed at the cathode.

temperature ..............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................

..... current

......................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................

..... time

..........................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [3]

[Total: 9]
 A1 (a) A student tried to pass an electric current through some solids and liquids.
The six experiments are represented by the diagrams below.

Zinc sulphate zinc ethanol

A B C

Distilled water solid copper(II) sulphate poly(ethene)

D E F

(i) In which experiments will the bulb light?

...............................................................................................................................[2]

(ii) Give the name of an electrolyte shown in the diagram.

...............................................................................................................................[1]

(iii) In which experiment will oxygen be produced?

...............................................................................................................................[1]
(b) The following diagram represents the electrolysis of molten substance, X.
 (i) Label the anode and cathode on the diagram.

(ii) Suggest the name of substance X.

...................................................................................................................................

(iii) State the formula of the cation in X.

...................................................................................................................................

(iv) Explain why substance X conducts electricity when molten, but not when solid.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................
[5]
B9 (a) Brine is an impure solution of sodium chloride. The main impurity in brine is calcium chloride.
It is removed by reacting the brine with sodium carbonate.

CaCl2(aq) + Na2CO3(aq) → CaCO3(s) + 2NaCl(aq)

(i) State the name for this type of reaction.

(ii) Construct an ionic equation for the reaction between calcium ions and carbonate ions to
produce calcium carbonate.
(iii) Suggest how the calcium carbonate is removed from the mixture.
[3]

(b) Chlorine is manufactured by the electrolysis of concentrated sodium chloride.

(i) Write equations for both of the electrode reactions.

(ii) Calculate the maximum volume of chlorine, at r.t.p., which can be obtained from 175.5
kg sodium chloride.
[5]

(c) Chlorine reacts with methane to produce chloromethane, CH3Cl.

Draw a ‘dot and cross’ diagram to show the bonding in chloromethane.
You only need to show outer (valence) electrons. [2]

[10 marks]
A5 The diagram shows a cell that can be used to make electrical energy.

voltm
eter
V

rod of metal X, Y or Z
magnesiu
m electrolyte
ro
d
(a) Explain why distilled water is not used as the electrolyte.

......................................................................................................................................[1]

(b) This table shows the results when rods of three metals, X, Y and Z, are used in
separate experiments.
All the metals are less reactive than magnesium.

rod 1 rod 2 voltmeter reading / V

magnesium X 2.72

magnesium Y 0.78

magnesium Z 1.10

Place the metals in order of

reactivity most reactive

magnesium

………………………

………………………

least reactive ……………………… [1]

(c) A student places a rod of magnesium in aqueous silver nitrate.

(i) Write an ionic equation, with state symbols, for the reaction which happened.

...................................................................................................................................

(ii) What would you expect to see after the reaction had been taking place for
some time?

...................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................[3]
B10 The diagram shows a cell for purifying copper.

+
–

pure copper impure copper

cathode anode

electrolyte

(a) Describe what you would observe during this electrolysis and write the equations for the
reactions at the electrodes. [3]

(b) The electrodes and the electrolyte conduct electricity.

(i) Explain how the structure of metals allows copper electrodes to conduct electricity. [1]

(ii) Explain why solid copper(II) sulphate does not conduct electricity but an aqueous
solution of copper(II) sulphate does conduct. [2]

(c) Describe how the apparatus shown in the diagram could be modified in order to electroplate
an iron object, such as a knife, with nickel. [2]

(d) Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. Bronze is less malleable than pure copper. Use ideas
about the structure of metals and alloys to explain why bronze is less malleable than pure
copper. [2]
(e) An electric current can also be generated by a simple electrochemical cell such as the one
shown.

e– V

magnesium copper

electrolyte
(magnesium sulphate)

(i) Explain why the flow of electrons is in the direction shown in the diagram. [2]
(ii) Suggest why silver nitrate would not be a good electrolyte to use in this cell. [1]
Structured questions:

13. Choose from the words, the term most appropriate for the descriptions below:
Rheostat, battery, ammeter, platinum, voltmeter, copper, cell
a) A source of electricity
b) A collection of cells
c) An electrical device for measuring current
d) A device for keeping current constant
e) An inert electrode

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Draw an electrolysis circuit incorporating all of these electrical devices.

14. The table below gives information about four substances, A, B, C and D, when they are solid and when they
are molten.
Solid Molten
Substance Appearance Does the solid Does the melt Product at the Product at the
conduct? conduct? anode cathode
A Yellow solid No No None None
B White solid No Yes Bromine gas Lead metal
C Pink solid Yes Yes None None
D Black solid Yes Yes None none
a) Suggest possible identities for A, B, C and D.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

b) Is B a conductor, or an electrolyte?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

c) Is D a conductor, or an electrolyte?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

d) What type of bonding is present in A?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
 e) What type of bonding is present in B?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

15. Draw a simple electrical circuit that you could use if you wished to copper plate a nail. Name the electrodes
you use, indicating which the anode is and which the cathode is. Also name a suitable electrolyte.

16.
Distinguish between Electrolysis and electrolyte

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Distinguish between Cathode and cation

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Distinguish between Anode and anion

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Distinguish between Conductor and electrolyte.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
17. Complete the table, naming the main anode and cathode products:

Electrodes Electrolyte Anode product Cathode product

Carbon Hydrochloric acid
(dilute)
Carbon Hydrochloric acid
(concentrated)
Carbon Sodium hydroxide
Copper Copper(II) sulphate
Carbon Copper(II) sulphate

Questions
1. Say what is formed at cathode and at the anode during the electrolyses of the following substances. Assume
that carbon electrodes were used each time. You don’t need to write electrode equations.
a) Molten lead(II) bromide
b) Molten zinc chloride
c) Sodium iodide solution
d) Molten sodium iodide
e) Copper(II) chloride solution
f) Dilute hydrochloric acid
g) Magnesium sulfate solution
h) Sodium hydroxide

a) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

b) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

c) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

d) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

e) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

f) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

g) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

h) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. Some solid potassium iodide was placed in an evaporating basin. Two carbon electrodes were inserted and
connected to a 12 volt DC power source and a light bulb. The potassium iodide was heated. As soon as the
potassium iodide was molten, the bulb came on. Purple fumes were seen coming from the positive
electrode, and lilac flashes were seen around the negative one.
a) Explain why the bulb didn’t come on until the potassium iodide molted.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

b) What name is given to the positive electrode?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

c) Name the purple fumes seen at the positive electrode, and write the electrode equation for their
formation.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
 d) The lilac flashes seen around the negative electrode are caused by the potassium which is formed. The
potassium burns with a lilac flame. Write the electrode equation for the formation of the potassium.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

e) What differences would you expect to observe if you used molten sodium bromide instead of potassium
iodide?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

f) Write the electrode equations for the reactions occurring during the electrolysis of molten sodium
bromide.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. For each of the following electrolytes (i) write the cathode equation, (ii) write the anode equation, (iii) say
what has been oxidized and what has been reduced.
a) Molten lead(II) bromide using carbon electrodes

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

b) Sodium chloride solution using carbon electrodes

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

c) Calcium bromide solution using carbon electrodes

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

d) Copper(II) sulfate solution using carbon electrodes

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

e) Aluminum nitrate solution using carbon electrodes

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

f) Molten magnesium iodide using carbon electrodes

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

g) Dilute hydrochloric acid using carbon electrodes.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4.