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Chem IGCSE 1 - Module 5
Chem IGCSE 1 - Module 5
TERM 1
The H+ ions are discharged at the cathode as they are less reactive than sodium
ions
The H+ ions gain electrons to form hydrogen gas
1
Diagram showing the products of the electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride
Dilute sulfuric acid can be electrolysed using inert electrodes made from platinum
or carbon/graphite
Bubbles of gas are seen at both electrodes
H+ ions are attracted to the cathode, gain electrons and form hydrogen gas
OH- ions are attracted to the anode, lose electrons and form oxygen gas and
water
If the gas produced at the anode relights a glowing splint dipped into a sample of
the gas then the gas is oxygen
2
Diagram showing the test for oxygen gas
If the gas produced at the anode bleaches damp litmus paper then the gas
is chlorine
If the gas produced at the cathode burns with a 'pop' when a sample is lit with a
lighted splint then the gas is hydrogen
3
Diagram showing the test for hydrogen gas
4.1.4 Electrolysis of Aqueous Solutions
Electrolysis of Aqueous Solutions
EXTENDED
H2O ⇌ H+ + OH–
These ions are also involved in the process and their chemistry must be
considered
We now have an electrolyte that contains ions from the compound plus ions from
the water
Which ions get discharged and at which electrode depends on the relative
reactivity of the elements involved
Concentrated and dilute solutions of the same compound give different products
For anions, the more concentrated ion will tend to get discharged over a more
dilute ion
Negatively charged OH– ions and non-metal ions are attracted to the positive
electrode
If halide ions (Cl-, Br-, I-) and OH- are present then the halide ion is discharged at
the anode, loses electrons and forms a halogen (chlorine, bromine or iodine)
If no halide ions are present, then OH- is discharged at the anode, loses
electrons and forms oxygen gas
In both cases the other negative ion remains in solution
The concentration of the solution also affects which ion is discharged:
o If a concentrated halide solution is being electrolysed, the halogen forms
at the anode
o If a dilute halide solution is being electrolysed, oxygen is formed
4
For example:
o For a concentrated solution of barium chloride, the Cl- ions are discharged
more readily than the OH- ions, so chlorine gas is produced at the anode
o If the solution is dilute however only the OH- ion is discharged and so
oxygen would be formed
Positively charged H+ and metal ions are attracted to the negative electrode but
only one will gain electrons
Either hydrogen gas or metal will be produced
If the metal is above hydrogen in the reactivity series, then hydrogen will be
produced and bubbling will be seen at the cathode
This is because the ions of the more reactive metal will remain in the solution,
causing the ions of the least reactive metal to be discharged
Therefore, at the cathode, hydrogen gas will be produced unless the positive
ions from the ionic compound are less reactive than hydrogen, in which case
the metal is produced
Activity
Describe the electrolysis of concentrated and dilute aqueous solutions. Write in your
notebooks
5