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Notes

Electrolysis involves the decomposition of molten or aqueous ionic compounds when an electric current is applied, while covalent and solid ionic compounds do not conduct electricity. Key components of an electrolytic cell include electrodes, electrolytes, anodes, and cathodes, with metals and hydrogen forming at the cathode and non-metals at the anode. Electroplating is a specific application of electrolysis where a metal is coated onto another object to prevent corrosion or for decorative purposes.

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20 views2 pages

Notes

Electrolysis involves the decomposition of molten or aqueous ionic compounds when an electric current is applied, while covalent and solid ionic compounds do not conduct electricity. Key components of an electrolytic cell include electrodes, electrolytes, anodes, and cathodes, with metals and hydrogen forming at the cathode and non-metals at the anode. Electroplating is a specific application of electrolysis where a metal is coated onto another object to prevent corrosion or for decorative purposes.

Uploaded by

Dhruw Singh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Electrolysis: General Principles

• When an electric current is passed through a molten ionic compound the compound decomposes or breaks down
• The process also occurs for aqueous solutions of ionic compounds
• Covalent compounds cannot conduct electricity hence they do not undergo electrolysis
• Ionic compounds in the solid state cannot conduct electricity either since they have no free ions that can move and carry the
charge

Key terms used in a simple electrolytic cell

• Electrode is a rod of metal or graphite through which an electric current flows into or out of an electrolyte
• Electrolyte is the ionic compound in a molten or dissolved solution that conducts the electricity
• Anode is the positive electrode of an electrolysis cell
• Anion is a negatively charged ion which is attracted to the anode
• Cathode is the negative electrode of an electrolysis cell
• Cation is a positively charged ion which is attracted to the cathode

• Metals and hydrogen form positively charged ions and so either a metal or hydrogen gas is formed at the cathode
• Non-metals form negatively charged ions and so non-metals (except hydrogen) are formed at the anode
• Electroplating is basically the process of plating a metal onto the other by hydrolysis mostly to
prevent corrosion of metal or for decorative purposes.
• Electroplating is a process where the surface of one metal is coated with a layer of a
different metal
• The anode is made from the pure metal you want to coat your object with
• The cathode is the object to be electroplated
• The electrolyte is an aqueous solution of a soluble salt of the pure metal at the anode

• Example: coating a strip of iron metal with tin:

A piece of iron being electroplated with tin. The electrolyte is tin(II) chloride, a water-soluble
salt of tin

• At the anode: Tin atoms lose electrons to form tin ions in solution
• At the cathode: Tin ions gain electrons to form tin atoms which deposit on the strip of iron
metal, coating it with a layer of tin

A piece of iron being electroplated with tin. The electrolyte is tin(II) chloride, a water-soluble
salt of tin

• At the anode: Tin atoms lose electrons to form tin ions in solution
• At the cathode: Tin ions gain electrons to form tin atoms which deposit on the strip of iron
metal, coating it with a layer of tin

A piece of iron being electroplated with tin. The electrolyte is tin(II) chloride, a water-soluble
salt of tin

• At the anode: Tin atoms lose electrons to form tin ions in solution
• At the cathode: Tin ions gain electrons to form tin atoms which deposit on the strip of iron
metal, coating it with a layer of tin

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