e-Notes 24-25
Grade 9 Subject Chemistry Month January
Unit 4, Chapter 6: 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 Definition
Electrolysis
Electrodes Metal or graphite rods that aid the flow of electricity in and
out of the electrolyte
1. Anode: Positive electrode
2. Cathode: Negative Electrode (PANIC: Positive is Anode,
Negative is Cathode)
Anion Negatively charged ion that moves to anode
Cation Positively charged ion that moves to the cathode
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• 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
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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)
Observations in Electrolysis
Electrolyte At Cathode At Anode
Molten Lead (II) Bromide Lead Bromine
Concentrated Aqueous Sodium Chloride (Brine) Hydrogen Chlorine
Dilute Sulfuric Acid Hydrogen Oxygen
Aqueous Copper (II) Sulfate with Graphite Electrodes Copper Oxygen
Aqueous Copper (II) Sulfate with Copper Electrodes Copper Copper
• Blue copper (II) sulfate doesn’t change as the concentration of Cu2+
ions remains unchanged.
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• Inert (Unreactive electrodes) are Platinum, Graphite or
Carbon Electrodes, So they don’t react with the ions during
electrolysis.
Electroplating
Electroplating: the process of coating the surface of a metal (more
reactive) with another metal (less reactive) using electrolysis
• Components:
o Anode: pure/impure metal being used for electroplating the
object
o Cathode: object being electroplated
o Electrolyte: aqueous solution of the soluble salt of pure metal
(same as anode)
• Used to:
o Prevent corrosion
o Enhance appearance
Refining Metals
• Cathode: a thin strip of pure metal
• Anode: impure metal
• Electrolyte: Aqueous Salt Solution of metal
Example:
• The refining of copper: Impure copper as the anode and pure
copper as the cathode; the aqueous copper (II) sulfate helps the
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copper ions move from the anode to the cathode. Here, the ions
gain electrons and become copper atoms, making the pure
copper cathode thicker.
1. Reaction at Anode: Cu → 2e + Cu2+ (mass decreases)
2. Reaction at Cathode: Cu2+ + 2e → Cu (mass increases)
Electrolysis of Brine
• Brine is a concentrated aqueous NaCl solution
• Ions present: Na+, H+, Cl- and OH-
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At the anode At the cathode
Made of titanium Made of steel
Cl- ions; Chlorine gas Hydrogen cations reduced to H2 molecules
Unreacted ions (Na+, H+ and OH-) move through porous membranes due to
differences in liquid pressure
Left Na+ and OH- which form aqueous sodium hydroxide
Hydrogen-Oxygen Fuel Cells
Hydrogen-Oxygen Fuel Cells: Uses hydrogen and oxygen as the main
reactants to produce electricity; the only product released is water.
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Main Chemical Equation: 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O
Advantages of motor vehicles Disadvantages of motor vehicles
Renewable source Large fuel tank required
Emission Free (No carbon pollutions) Currently expensive
Non-toxic Lesser Hydrogen Filling stations
