ELECTROLYSIS.

Electrolysis is the conduction of electricity by a compound containing ions,

when molten or dissolved in water, leading to the decomposition of the
compound.
Electrolysis gives an evidence for the existence of ions which are held in a
lattice when solid but which move freely when molten or in aqueous medium.
To perform electrolysis an electrolytic cell is needed.

ELECTROLYTE.
An electrolyte is a compound in the molten state or in aqueous medium
containing ions and can conduct electricity causing decomposition of its ions.
Example;
1. Any ionic compound dissolved in water (sodium chloride).
2. Any molten ionic compound.
3. Acids.
4. Alkalis.

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NON-ELECTROLYTE.
A non-electrolyte is a solution or a molten compound which cannot conduct
electricity.
Example; pure water(distilled water), molten sulfur, ethanol, sugar solution,
trichloromethane, benzene, acetone.
NOTE: liquid metal is not considered to be an electrolyte or a non-electrolyte
because it conducts electricity but does not contain negative ions and is not
decomposed.
ELECTROLYTE.

Weak electrolyte strong electrolyte

Eg; weak acids eg; strong acids
Weak alkalis strong alkalis
Ionic compound in aqueous medium
Molten ionic compound
WEAK ELECTROLYTE.
It is a compound which dissociates partially giving a low concentration of ions.
It is not a good conductor of electricity.
STRONG ELECTROLYTE.
It is a compound which dissociates completely giving a high concentration of
ions.
It is a good conductor of electricity.

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Question;
Briefly explain why an electrolyte must be in the molten state or in solution.
In the molten or aqueous medium the ions of the compound are mobile and
can carry charges when connected across a potential difference. In the solid
state the ions are held in fixed positions.
ELECTRODES.
Electrodes are metal plates or carbon rods used to conduct an electric current
to and from an electrolyte during electrolysis. They also provide a surface area
where electrolytic reactions may occur.
Anode is the electrode which is connected to the positive terminal of the
battery.
Cathode is the electrode which is connected to the negative terminal of the
battery.
Electrodes can be classified as:
1. Inert electrodes (graphite or platinum)
Inert electrodes do not take part in any chemical reaction during the
electrolysis process).
2. Reactive electrodes (eg: copper, silver, magnesium, zinc)
Reactive electrodes take part in chemical reactions during electrolysis
process eg; they may be used up.

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Q.Mention two reasons why carbon is used as electrodes
Carbon electrodes are chosen because :
1)they have a high melting point
2)are inert (they will not react with the reactants and products during
electrolysis)

ELECTROLYSIS PROCESS.

Anode(+)
Negative ions (anions) migrate
towards the anode.
There the negative ions lose
electrons to form neutral particles
and to release electrons into the
circuit.
Hence oxidation occurs at the anode.
Cathode(-)
Positive ions(cations)migrate towards
the cathode.
There the positive ions gain electrons
to form neutral particles.
Hence reduction occurs at the
cathode.

Hence during electrolysis a redox reaction takes place.

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Electrons move from the anode to the cathode during electrolysis.