ELECTROLYSIS Ms Purani

ELECTROLYSIS
CONTENTS
• What is electrolysis?
• Electrolysis of ionic compounds
• Electrolysis of molten sodium chloride
• Electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride
• Questions
 ELECTROLYSIS

Passing an electric current through ionic substances that are molten

or in aqueous solution, breaks them down into elements.
 ELECTROLYSIS
Passing an electric current through ionic substances that are molten
or in aqueous solution, breaks them down into elements.

The process is known as ELECTROLYSIS

 ELECTROLYSIS
Passing an electric current through ionic substances that are molten
or in aqueous solution, breaks them down into elements.

The process is known as ELECTROLYSIS

The substance broken down is called the ELECTROLYTE
 ELECTROLYSIS
Passing an electric current through ionic substances that are molten
or in aqueous solution, breaks them down into elements.

The process is known as ELECTROLYSIS

The substance broken down is called the ELECTROLYTE

During electrolysis…
Positively charged ions move to the negative electrode - CATHODE
Negatively charged ions move to the positive electrode - ANODE
 ELECTROLYSIS
Passing an electric current through ionic substances that are molten
or in aqueous solution, breaks them down into elements.

The process is known as ELECTROLYSIS

The substance broken down is called the ELECTROLYTE

During electrolysis…
Positively charged ions move to the negative electrode - CATHODE
Negatively charged ions move to the positive electrode - ANODE

CATHODE +ive ions gain electrons REDUCTION

ANODE - ive ions give up (lose) electrons OXIDATION
ELECTROLYSIS OF
IONIC COMPOUNDS
CONDUCTING
ELECTRICITY
 CONDUCTING
ELECTRICITY
For a substance to conduct electricity it must have either…
 CONDUCTING
ELECTRICITY
For a substance to conduct electricity it must have either…
electrons which are free to move about (metals /
graphite)
 CONDUCTING
ELECTRICITY
For a substance to conduct electricity it must have either…
electrons which are free to move about (metals /
graphite)
or ions which are free to move about
 CONDUCTING
ELECTRICITY
For a substance to conduct electricity it must have either…
electrons which are free to move about (metals /
graphite)
or ions which are free to move about

When an ionic substance is melted or dissolved in water,

the ions are free to move about within the liquid or solution.
 ELECTROLYSIS OF IONIC
COMPOUNDS
SOLID

Cl- Na+ Cl- Na+

Na+ Cl- Na+ Cl-

Cl- Na+ Cl- Na+

WHEN SOLID, THE IONS

ARE NOT FREE TO MOVE

NO CONDUCTION
OF ELECTRICITY

SOLID IONIC COMPOUNDS DON’T CONDUCT ELECTRICITY

 ELECTROLYSIS OF
IONIC
SOLID
COMPOUNDS
MOLTEN

Cl- Na+ Cl- Na+

Na+ Cl-
Na+ Cl- Na+ Cl- Na+
Cl-
Cl-
Cl- Na+ Cl- Na+
Cl- Na+
Na+

WHEN SOLID, THE IONS WHEN MOLTEN, THE IONS

ARE NOT FREE TO MOVE ARE FREE TO MOVE

NO CONDUCTION ELECTRICITY IS
OF ELECTRICITY CONDUCTED

MOLTEN IONIC COMPOUNDS DO CONDUCT ELECTRICITY

 ELECTROLYSIS OF
IONIC
SOLID
COMPOUNDS
Cl- Na+ Cl- Na+

Na+ Cl- Na+ Cl-

Cl- Na+ Cl- Na+

WHEN SOLID, THE IONS

ARE NOT FREE TO MOVE

NO CONDUCTION
OF ELECTRICITY

SOLID IONIC COMPOUNDS DON’T CONDUCT ELECTRICITY

 ELECTROLYSIS OF
IONIC
SOLID
COMPOUNDS
Cl- Na+ Cl- Na+

Na+ Cl- Na+ Cl-

Add to water
Cl- Na+ Cl- Na+

WHEN SOLID, THE IONS

ARE NOT FREE TO MOVE

NO CONDUCTION
OF ELECTRICITY

AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS OF IONIC COMPOUNDS DO CONDUCT ELECTRICITY

 ELECTROLYSIS OF
IONIC
SOLID
COMPOUNDS
IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION

Cl- Na+ Cl- Na+

Na+ Cl-
Na+ Cl- Na+ Cl- Na+
Cl-
Cl-
Cl- Na+ Cl- Na+
Cl- Na+
Na+

WHEN SOLID, THE IONS WHEN DISSOLVED IN

ARE NOT FREE TO MOVE WATER, THE IONS ARE
FREE TO MOVE
NO CONDUCTION
OF ELECTRICITY ELECTRICITY IS
CONDUCTED

AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS OF IONIC COMPOUNDS DO CONDUCT ELECTRICITY

ELECTROLYSIS OF
MOLTEN SODIUM
CHLORIDE
ELECTROLYSIS IS A REDOX REACTION
IONIC HALF
EQUATION
Gain electron
=REDUCTION

Lose electron
=OXIDATION
 ELECTROLYSIS OF
SODIUM CHLORIDE
SOLID SODIUM CHLORIDE DOES NOT
CONDUCT ELECTRICITY BECAUSE
THE IONS ARE NOT FREE TO MOVE
TO THE ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYSIS OF
SODIUM CHLORIDE
SOLID SODIUM CHLORIDE DOES
NOT CONDUCT ELECTRICITY
BECAUSE THE IONS ARE NOT FREE
TO MOVE TO THE ELECTRODES

WHEN MOLTEN, THE IONS HAVE

MORE FREEDOM AND CAN
MOVE
*Apposite electrical charges attract*
 ELECTROLYSIS OF
SODIUM CHLORIDE
SOLID SODIUM CHLORIDE DOES NOT
CONDUCT ELECTRICITY BECAUSE THE
IONS ARE NOT FREE TO MOVE TO THE
ELECTRODES

WHEN MOLTEN, THE IONS HAVE

MORE FREEDOM AND CAN MOVE
Na + e-
+

Na
SODIUM IONS GO TO THE CATHODE
AND EACH PICK UP AN ELECTRON
ELECTROLYSIS OF
SODIUM CHLORIDE
SOLID SODIUM CHLORIDE DOES
NOT CONDUCT ELECTRICITY
BECAUSE THE IONS ARE NOT
FREE TO MOVE TO THE
ELECTRODES

WHEN MOLTEN, THE IONS

HAVE MORE FREEDOM AND
Na +
+
CAN MOVEe-
Na

SODIUM IONS GO TO THE

CATHODE AND EACH PICK UP
AN ELECTRON
 ELECTROLYSIS OF
SODIUM CHLORIDE
SOLID SODIUM CHLORIDE DOES NOT
CONDUCT ELECTRICITY BECAUSE THE
IONS ARE NOT FREE TO MOVE TO THE
ELECTRODES

WHEN MOLTEN, THE IONS HAVE MORE

FREEDOM AND CAN MOVE
Na+ + e-
Na
SODIUM IONS GO TO THE CATHODE AND
CHLORIDE
EACH PICKIONS GOELECTRON
UP AN TO THE ANODE
AND EACH GIVE UP AN ELECTRON
Cl- Cl +
2Cl-
e- Cl2
 ELECTROLYSIS OF
SODIUM CHLORIDE
SOLID SODIUM CHLORIDE DOES NOT
CONDUCT ELECTRICITY BECAUSE THE
IONS ARE NOT FREE TO MOVE TO THE
ELECTRODES

WHEN MOLTEN, THE IONS HAVE

MORE FREEDOM
Na+ + e-AND CAN MOVE
Na

SODIUM IONS GO TO THE CATHODE

CHLORIDE
AND EACH IONS GO TO
PICK UPTHE
AN ANODE AND
ELECTRON
EACH GIVE UP AN ELECTRON
Cl- Cl +
2Cl-
e- Cl2
 ELECTROLYSIS OF
SODIUM CHLORIDE
SOLID SODIUM CHLORIDE DOES NOT
CONDUCT ELECTRICITY BECAUSE THE
IONS ARE NOT FREE TO MOVE TO THE
ELECTRODES

WHEN MOLTEN, THE IONS HAVE

MORE FREEDOM
Na+ + e-AND CAN MOVE
Na

SODIUM IONS GO TO THE CATHODE

CHLORIDE IONS GO TO THE ANODE AND
AND EACH
EACH GIVE PICK
UP AN UP AN ELECTRON
ELECTRON
Cl- Cl +
2Cl-
e- Cl2
ELECTROLYSIS OF
AQUEOUS SODIUM
CHLORIDE
 Ionic compounds will often dissolve in water, so the ions are free to
move around in the solution.

When we make a solution of sodium chloride (NaCl), we get:

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE ELECTRODES DURING THE
ELECTROLYSIS OF A SOLUTION

In a sodium chloride solution, Na is more reactive than H.

The Na+ cations stay in the solution
The H+ cations each gain an electron to become H atoms
The H atoms bond in pairs to form molecules of H2(g)
ELECTROLYSIS OF…
MOLTEN LEAD BROMIDE
WHEN SODIUM CHLORIDE DISSOLVES
IN WATER, THE IONS SEPARATE
WHEN SODIUM CHLORIDE DISSOLVES
IN WATER, THE IONS SEPARATE

WATER CONTAINS A FEW IONS

WHEN SODIUM CHLORIDE DISSOLVES
IN WATER, THE IONS SEPARATE

WATER CONTAINS A FEW IONS

POSITIVE IONS ARE ATTRACTED TO

THE NEGATIVE CATHODE...
WHEN SODIUM CHLORIDE DISSOLVES
IN WATER, THE IONS SEPARATE

WATER CONTAINS A FEW IONS

POSITIVE IONS ARE ATTRACTED TO

THE NEGATIVE CATHODE...
OF THE TWO, HYDROGEN IONS ARE
PREFERRED
WHEN SODIUM CHLORIDE DISSOLVES
IN WATER, THE IONS SEPARATE

WATER CONTAINS A FEW IONS

POSITIVE IONS ARE ATTRACTED TO

THE NEGATIVE CATHODE...
OF THE TWO, HYDROGEN IONS ARE
PREFERRED

NEGATIVE IONS ARE ATTRACTED TO

THE POSITIVE ANODE...
WHEN SODIUM CHLORIDE DISSOLVES
IN WATER, THE IONS SEPARATE

WATER CONTAINS A FEW IONS

POSITIVE IONS ARE ATTRACTED TO

THE NEGATIVE CATHODE...
OF THE TWO, HYDROGEN IONS ARE
PREFERRED

NEGATIVE IONS ARE ATTRACTED TO

THE POSITIVE ANODE...
OF THE TWO, CHLORIDE IONS ARE
PREFERRED
AT THE NEGATIVE CATHODE
HYDROGEN IONS PICK UP AN
ELECTRON AND BECOME ATOMS

H+
+ e-
H
AT THE NEGATIVE CATHODE
HYDROGEN IONS PICK UP AN
ELECTRON AND BECOME ATOMS

H+
+ e-
H

2H+ + 2e- H2

The atoms form molecules and

hydrogen gas H2 is produced
AT THE NEGATIVE CATHODE
HYDROGEN IONS PICK UP AN
ELECTRON AND BECOME ATOMS

H+
+ e-
H

2H+ 2e- H2
+

AT THE POSITIVE ANODE

CHLORIDE IONS GIVE UP AN
ELECTRON AND BECOME ATOMS

Cl- Cl +
e-
AT THE NEGATIVE CATHODE
HYDROGEN IONS PICK UP AN
ELECTRON AND BECOME ATOMS

H+
+ e-
H

2H+ 2e- H2
+

AT THE POSITIVE ANODE

CHLORIDE IONS GIVE UP AN
ELECTRON AND BECOME ATOMS

Cl- Cl

+ e-

2Cl- Cl2 +
AT THE NEGATIVE CATHODE
HYDROGEN IONS PICK UP AN
ELECTRON AND BECOME ATOMS

H+
+ e-
H

2H+ 2e- H2
+

AT THE POSITIVE ANODE

CHLORIDE IONS GIVE UP AN
ELECTRON AND BECOME ATOMS

Cl- Cl +
e-
SODIUM HYDROXIDE
2Cl- 2 + 2e-
SOLUTION REMAINS
Cl
AT THE NEGATIVE CATHODE
HYDROGEN IONS PICK UP AN
ELECTRON AND BECOME ATOMS

H+
+ e-
H

2H+ 2e- H2
+

AT THE POSITIVE ANODE

CHLORIDE IONS GIVE UP AN
ELECTRON AND BECOME ATOMS

Cl- Cl +
e-
SODIUM HYDROXIDE
2Cl- 2 + 2e-
SOLUTION REMAINS
Cl
 SUMMARY
AT THE NEGATIVE CATHODE
HYDROGEN IONS PICK UP AN
ELECTRON AND BECOME ATOMS

H+
+ e-
H

2H+ 2e- H2
+

AT THE POSITIVE ANODE

CHLORIDE IONS GIVE UP AN
ELECTRON AND BECOME ATOMS

Cl- Cl +
e-
SODIUM HYDROXIDE
2Cl- 2 + 2e-
SOLUTION REMAINS
Cl
 ELECTROLYSIS OF…
MOLTEN LEAD BROMIDE

Pb2+

Br- Br-

ANODE

CATHODE
 ELECTROLYSIS OF…
MOLTEN LEAD BROMIDE

Br Br
Pb
Pb2+

Br- Br-

ANODE 2Br- Br2 OXIDATION

CATHODE Pb2+ + REDUCTION

ELECTROLYSIS OF…
DILUTE SULPHURIC ACID
 ELECTROLYSIS OF…
DILUTE SULPHURIC ACID

SO42-

ANODE

CATHODE
 ELECTROLYSIS OF…
DILUTE SULPHURIC ACID

O O
H H

H H
SO42-

ANODE 4OH- 2H2O + O2 + 4e- OXIDATION

CATHODE 4H+ + 4e- 2H2 REDUCTION

 ELECTROLYSIS OF…
DILUTE SULPHURIC ACID

O O
H H

H H
SO42-

This electrolysis
ANODE 4OH - 2H2O + O2 + 4e - OXIDATION
can be used to
deduce the
CATHODE 4H+ + 4e- 2H2 REDUCTION
formula of water
 ELECTROLYSIS OF…
AQUEOUS COPPER SULPHATE (with carbon electrodes)
 ELECTROLYSIS OF…
AQUEOUS COPPER SULPHATE (with carbon electrodes)

SO42-

Cu2+

ANODE

CATHODE
 ELECTROLYSIS OF…
AQUEOUS COPPER SULPHATE (with carbon electrodes)

O O
Cu

SO42-

Cu2+

ANODE 4OH- 2H2O + O2 + 4e- OXIDATION

CATHODE 2Cu2+ + 4e- 2Cu REDUCTION

 ELECTROLYSIS OF…
AQUEOUS COPPER SULPHATE (with copper anode)

A different reaction
takes place if the anode
is made of copper
 ELECTROLYSIS OF…
AQUEOUS COPPER SULPHATE (with copper anode)

SO42-
Cu

Cu2+

ANODE

CATHODE
 ELECTROLYSIS OF…
AQUEOUS COPPER SULPHATE (with copper anode)

Cu
SO42-
Cu

Cu2+

ANODE Cu Cu2+ + 2e- OXIDATION

CATHODE Cu2+
+ 2e- Cu REDUCTION
 ELECTROLYSIS OF…
AQUEOUS COPPER SULPHATE (with copper anode)

Cu
SO42-
Cu

Cu2+

This electrolysis
can be used to
ANODE Cu Cu2+ + 2e- OXIDATION
purify copper or
CATHODE + 2e- Cu copper plate
REDUCTION
Cu2+ objects
0620/41/M/J/23
Define electrolysis
Breakdown-molten/aqueous-
using electricity

Properties of electrode
*Inert
*conducts electricity

Half –equations
*ionic/full*
-anode-losing electron
-cathode- receiving electron

Difference between
electron & ion

Product at cathode & anode

0620/42/O/N/23
The condition required
for electrolysis
*free moving ions*
*molten/aqueous *
Half –equations
*ionic/full*
-anode-losing electron
-cathode- receiving electron

Testing for product formed

*gas*
-Oxygen, chlorine, caron
dioxide

Observation of product
- gas bubbling/
effervescence
-solid colour
Ans:grey solid
THANK YOU