The City School

Gulistan-e-Johar Campus
Chemistry 5070
Electrolysis 2011-13 Past Papers (P2/P1)

O/N/11
O/N/12
[1]
hree electrolysis cells are set up. Each cell has inert electrodes.
The electrolytes are listed below.
cell 1 aqueous sodium chloride
cell 2 dilute sulfuric acid
cell 3 molten lead(II) bromide
In which of these cells is a gas formed at both electrodes?
A 1 and 2 B 1 and 3 C 2 only D 3 only
The statements refer to the electrolysis of concentrated copper(II) chloride solution.
1 Electrons are transferred from the cathode to the copper(II) ions.
2 Electrons move around the circuit from the cathode to the anode.
3 Chloride ions are attracted to the anode.
4 Hydroxide ions transfer electrons to the cathode.
Which statements about the electrolysis of concentrated copper(II) chloride are correct?
A 1 and 3
B 1 and 4
C 2 and 3
D 2 and 4
18. Which metal has to be extracted from its ore by electrolysis?
A Fe B Na C Pb D Zn
A2 Sodium chloride, NaCl, and magnesium chloride, MgCl2, are both ionic compounds.
(a) Describe the arrangement of the ions and the type of attractive forces between the ions
in
solid magnesium chloride.
arrangement .............................................................................................................................
type of attractive forces
............................................................................................................[2]
(b) Explain why solid magnesium chloride does not conduct electricity but aqueous
magnesium chloride does conduct.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................[2]
(c) State the electronic configuration of a magnesium ion and of a chloride ion.
magnesium ion .........................................................................................................................
chloride ion
...............................................................................................................................[2]
(d) Chlorine and hydrogen are manufactured by the electrolysis of concentrated aqueous
sodium chloride.
Chlorine is released at the positive electrode and hydrogen is released at the negative
electrode.
(i) Why are hydrogen ions and not sodium ions discharged at the negative electrode?
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
(ii) Construct the equation for the reaction at the negative electrode.
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
(iii) Describe a test for chlorine.
test ....................................................................................................................................
result .................................................................................................................................[2]
(e) (i) Give the formulae of the four ions present in aqueous sodium chloride.
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
(ii) Suggest why the solution becomes alkaline as the electrolysis proceeds.
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[2]
[Total: 13]
M/J/22/19
Aluminium is produced by the electrolysis of molten aluminium oxide.
Aluminium oxide contains Al 3+ and O2− ions.
(i) Describe the composition of the electrolyte used in this electrolysis.
..................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) Name the material used for the electrodes in this electrolysis.
..................................................................................................................................... [1]
(iii) Construct equations for the reactions taking place at the:
negative electrode .............................................................................................................
positive electrode. .............................................................................................................[2]
(d) Aluminium reacts with aqueous copper(II) chloride in a redox reaction.
2Al (s) + 3Cu2+(aq) 2Al 3+(aq) + 3Cu(s)
Which particle is oxidised? .......................................................................................................
Explain your answer. [1]
(e) Explain why a piece of aluminium in water does not react. [2]
(f) Aluminium chloride is a soluble salt.
Describe how a pure sample of aluminium chloride crystals can be made from
aluminium.[4][Total: 14] M/J/22/2017
Sodium oxide, Na2O, is an ionic compound.
(a) State the electronic configuration for each of the ions in sodium oxide.
sodium ion .............................................................................oxide ion.[2]
(b) When molten sodium oxide is electrolysed, sodium and oxygen are formed.
Construct equations for the two electrode reactions.

reaction at the negative electrode …

reaction at the positive electrode…. [2]

(c) Explain how molten sodium oxide conducts electricity..[1]

Which statement about the electrolysis of an aqueous solution of copper(II) sulfate

with platinum
electrodes is correct?
A Oxygen is given off at the positive electrode.
B The mass of the negative electrode remains constant.
C The mass of the positive electrode decreases.
D There is no change in the colour of the solution.

Oct/Nov/2011

B7.Sulfuric acid is a strong acid. Ethanoic acid is a weak acid.

(a) What do you understand by the terms strong acid and weak acid?
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................... [1]
(b) Compare and explain the difference in the electrical conductivity between a strong and
a weak acid.
..................................................................................................................................... [1]
(c) A dilute solution of sulfuric acid contains hydrogen ions, hydroxide ions and sulfate ions.
When this solution is electrolysed, hydrogen gas is formed at the cathode and oxygen
gas is formed at the anode.
(i) Explain why hydrogen is formed at the cathode.
..................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................. [1]
(ii) Write the ionic equation for the reaction at the anode.
............................................................................................................................. [2]

(a) Complete the following table about electrolysis using inert graphite electrodes.
 electrolyte product at cathode product at anode
molten lead(II)
bromide
aqueous copper(II)
copper
sulfate

dilute sulfuric acid oxygen

[3]

(a) Describe one commercial use of electrolysis.

use
...................................................................................................................................

electrolyte used
................................................................................................................

ionic equation for reaction at the cathode

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