GCSE CHEMISTRY: ELECTROLYSIS

- Electrolysis is a process where ionic substances are broken down into elements by
passing an electric current through them when they are dissolved or in a molten
state .

- Cations move to the negative electrode (cathode), and Anions move to the positive
electrode (anode), resulting in the discharge of ions and the production of elements

- When molten ionic compounds are electrolysed with inert electrodes, the metal is
produced at the cathode, and the non-metal is produced at the anode.

- Metals more reactive than carbon, such as aluminium, are extracted through
electrolysis of molten compounds. This process requires a substantial amount of
energy to melt the compounds and generate an electrical current.

- Aluminium, for example, is produced by electrolysing a mixture of aluminium oxide

and cryolite, using carbon as the anode. The need for continuous replacement of
positive electrodes is due to oxygen formation, which reacts with the carbon, leading
to the gradual burning away of the electrodes.

- Metals that react with carbon can also be extracted via electrolysis too.

- Electrolysis of aqueous solutions results in the discharge of ions based on the

relative reactivity of the elements involved.

- At the cathode, hydrogen is produced unless the metal is less reactive than
hydrogen. This is because more reactive ions tend to stay in the solution.

- At the anode, the presence of OH- and halide ions (Cl-, Br-, I-) leads to the production
of one of the halide ions, while the absence of halides results in the formation of
oxygen. This occurs because water molecules in the aqueous solution break down,
producing H+ ions and OH- ions that are subsequently discharged.
FILL IN THE BLANKS:

Electrolysis is a process where ionic substances are broken down into elements by passing
an electric current through them when they are in a _______ or _______ state.

Cations move to the _______ electrode (cathode), and anions move to the _______
electrode (anode), resulting in the discharge of ions and the production of _______.

When molten ionic compounds are electrolyzed with inert electrodes, the _______ is
produced at the cathode, and the _______ is produced at the anode.

Metals more reactive than carbon, such as ________, are extracted through electrolysis of
molten compounds. This process requires a ________ amount of energy to melt the
compounds and generate an electrical current.

Aluminium, for example, is produced by electrolysing a mixture of aluminium oxide and

_______ using carbon as the _______.

The need for continuous replacement of positive electrodes is due to _______ formation,
which reacts with the carbon, leading to the gradual burning away of the electrodes.

Metals that react with ______ can also be extracted via electrolysis.

Electrolysis of aqueous solutions results in the discharge of ions based on the relative
_______ of the elements involved.

At the cathode, _______ is produced unless the metal is less reactive than hydrogen. This is
because more reactive ions tend to stay in the solution.

At the anode, the presence of _______ and halide ions (Cl-, Br-, I-) leads to the production of
one of the _______ ions, while the absence of halides results in the formation of _______.
This occurs because water molecules in the aqueous solution break down, producing
_______ ions and _______ ions that are subsequently discharged.