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Understanding Electrolysis Basics

Electrolysis is the decomposition of an ionic compound through electric current, facilitated by mobile ions in an electrolyte. The process involves electrodes, where cations move to the cathode for reduction and anions move to the anode for oxidation. Key acronyms like REDCATANOX and OILRIG help remember the roles of electrodes and the processes of oxidation and reduction.

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36 views3 pages

Understanding Electrolysis Basics

Electrolysis is the decomposition of an ionic compound through electric current, facilitated by mobile ions in an electrolyte. The process involves electrodes, where cations move to the cathode for reduction and anions move to the anode for oxidation. Key acronyms like REDCATANOX and OILRIG help remember the roles of electrodes and the processes of oxidation and reduction.

Uploaded by

nigelgoreraza2009
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Electrochemistry

Electrolysis
Electrolysis: the decomposition of an ionic compound, when molten or aqueous
solution- by passing of an electric current
●​ This is possible due to the presence of mobile electrons/free-moving ions
●​ An electrolyte is a molten or aqueous substance that undergoes electrolysis

Components of Electrolysis Definition

Electrodes Metal or graphite rods that aid the flow of electricity in and ou
1. Anode: Positive electrode​
2. Cathode: Negative Electrode (PANIC: Positive is Anode, N

Anion Negatively charged ion that moves to anode

Cation Positively charged ion that moves to the cathode


●​ Note: Reactive electrodes participate in the reaction, while inert electrodes (Graphite,
Carbon) do not react with the cations or anions.
●​
Reduction and Oxidation
●​ Reduction of positive cations happens at the cathode
●​ Oxidation of negative anions happens at the anode
For example (Ionic Half Equations)
o​ At the anode: 2Cl- → Cl2 + 2e-
o​ At the cathode: 2H+ + 2e- → H2

Useful Acronyms
1.​ REDCATANOX (Reduction is Cathode, Anode is Oxidation)
2.​ OILRIG (Oxidation is loss, Reduction is gain)
3.​ PANIC (Positive is Anode, Negative is cathode)
4.​ CMAN (Cathode discharge Metals, Anode Discharge Non-Metals)
Electrolyte At Cathode At Anode

Molten Lead (II) Bromide Lead Bromine

Concentrated Aqueous Hydrogen Chlorine


Sodium Chloride (Brine)

Dilute Sulfuric Acid Hydrogen Oxygen

Aqueous Copper (II) Copper Oxygen


Sulfate with Graphite
Electrodes

Aqueous Copper (II) Copper Copper


Sulfate with Copper
Electrodes

Observations in Electrolysis

●​ Blue copper (II) sulfate doesn’t change as the concentration of Cu2+ ions remains
unchanged.
●​ Inert (Unreactive electrodes) are Platinum, Graphite or Carbon Electrodes, So they
don’t react with the ions during electrolysis.

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