Understanding Electrolysis
Program Support Notes by:
Peter Gribben BA BSc (Hons) PGCE
Produced by: © Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2010
VEA Pty Ltd
Commissioning Editor: Reproducing these support notes
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Assessment support notes from our website for your reference.
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CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.
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Simon Garner B.Ed, Dip
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Understanding Electrolysis
For Teachers
Introduction
Understanding Electrolysis is aimed at Years 11 and 12 Chemistry and deals with an area that
students often find difficult. Electrochemical cells have many uses both in industry and everyday life.
They include galvanic cells (batteries) that use chemical reactions to generate electricity and
electrolytic cells that use electricity to drive chemical reactions. The concepts of electrochemical cells
are dealt with in detail, starting with basic principles, and using a mixture of actual laboratory
equipment and animations. The reactivity series is used to help students understand how
electrochemical cells work. Teachers are recommended to review the concepts of redox reactions
before viewing the program.
Timeline
00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:53 Galvanic Cells
00:07:35 Basic Electrolytic cells & operation
00:13:54 Electrolysis in action 1 – production of chemicals
00:18:41 Electrolysis in action 2 – refining and protecting metals
00:23:49 Law of electrolysis
00:28:24 Conclusion
00:29:01 Credits
00:29:47 End program
Related Titles
All About Chemical Bonding – Ionic
All About Chemical Bonding – Covalent
All About Chemical Bonding – Metallic
DC Electricity – Discovery and Developments
Recommended Resources
http://www.chem.umn.edu/services/lecturedemo/info/cu-zncell.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanic_cell
http://www.science.uwaterloo.ca/~cchieh/cact/c123/battery.html
http://www.sparknotes.com/chemistry/electrochemistry/electrolytic/section1.html
http://www.practicalphysics.org/go/Experiment_286.html
http://www.docbrown.info/page01/ExIndChem/ExtraElectrochem.htm#electrolysis
http://www.world-aluminium.org/?pg=78
2
© Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2010
Reproducing these support notes
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference.
Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.
Understanding Electrolysis
Student Worksheet
Initiate Prior Learning
1. List five devices that use batteries (cells) to provide electrical energy.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
2. What are the major differences between a car battery and a battery used to power a flashlight?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
3. What is the charge on an electron?
_________________________________________________________________________________
4. Why are some objects plated with a particular metal (e.g. silver) rather than being made with that
metal?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
5. Why do metal atoms form ions?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
3
© Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2010
Reproducing these support notes
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference.
Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.
Understanding Electrolysis
Active Viewing Guide
Complete the following sentences.
1. Chemical reactions can produce ____________________ and electricity can produce
____________________ reactions.
2. Electrolysis can be used to coat and protect ____________________, manufacture industrial
____________________and refine and purify ____________________.
3. In cells producing electricity there are two ____________________. In one half-cell
____________________ is taking place and in the other ____________________.
____________________flow through the external circuit causing a current, and
____________________ flow through the salt bridge.
4. Standard reduction electrode potentials compare half cells with that of ____________________.
Positive potentials show a metal is more easily ____________________ and less
easily ____________________ than hydrogen.
5. The reactions in electrolytic cells are non ____________________ and require
____________________ energy to proceed.
6. Water is a ____________________ substance and doesn’t conduct electricity well unless e.g. an
acid is added to make it an ____________________. Electricity causes the water to decompose
and____________________ gas is given off at the anode; and ____________________ gas at
the cathode in the ratios of 1:2. Oxygen ____________________ a glowing splint and hydrogen
____________________ when it is ignited with a lit splint.
7. Industry uses electrolysis to produce metals such as ____________________ as well as the
gases ____________________ and ____________________ from ____________________
(Sodium chloride solution).
4
© Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2010
Reproducing these support notes
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference.
Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.
Understanding Electrolysis
8. Sodium ____________________ (NaOH) is a strong ____________________ and is used in the
manufacture of ____________________, ____________________, paper and textiles. Chlorine
is used in the manufacture of the plastic ____________________ ____________________
(PVC) and in the purification of ____________________.
9. ____________________ (Al2O3) is smelted using vast quantities of ____________________ to
produce aluminum. Cryolite is added to ____________________ its melting point. In the
process the carbon anode is oxidized to form ____________________________Aluminum can
be____________________, which only uses a fraction of the ____________________ needed
to produce it from its ore.
10. Metals often have a surface coating of an ____________________ and this can be increased by
____________________ to protect the metal (e.g. ____________________) against further
corrosion.
11. Silver and ____________________ are two metals often used to plate other metals. The object
to be plated is the ____________________ and the metal used for plating is the
____________________. A similar process is used to ____________________ copper on an
industrial scale.
12. Some batteries (cells) can be ____________________. These include the _____________–acid
battery used in cars, nickel ____________________ (NiCad), nickel metal hydride and
____________________ -ion batteries.
13. Faraday’s First Law of electrolysis states that the quantity of a substance consumed or produced
at an electrode is ____________________ to the ____________________ used. This is
expressed in the formula, Q = I x t, where Q = ____________________, I =
____________________ (amps) and t = ____________________ (seconds)
5
© Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2010
Reproducing these support notes
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference.
Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.
Understanding Electrolysis
14. Faraday’s ____________________ relates the quantity of electricity (measured in
____________________) to the quantity of ____________________ passing through the circuit.
15. Silver ions have a single positive charge so one ____________________ of silver ions will need
one mole of electrons to be reduced. Reduction takes place at the ____________________. The
mass of metals deposited is the product of the number of ____________________ multiplied by
the ___________ ___________ ___________ (ram)
6
© Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2010
Reproducing these support notes
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference.
Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.
Understanding Electrolysis
Extension Activities
1. Explain the difference between oxidation and reduction.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
For questions 2 &3 refer to the galvanic cell. (Figure 1)
Figure 1
2. On the diagram show polarities (+/-) of the electrodes.
3. On the diagram show the flow of electrons
7
© Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2010
Reproducing these support notes
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference.
Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.
Understanding Electrolysis
For questions 4, 5 & 6 refer to the electrolytic cell (Figure 2) which was set up to plate a key with
copper.
Figure 2
4. On the diagram show polarities (+/-) of the electrodes.
5. Write an equation for the reaction occurring at the copper electrode.
_________________________________________________________________________________
6. Suggest a suitable electrolyte.
_________________________________________________________________________________
7. Figure 3 shows a Hoffman voltameter. Outline how it operates.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Figure 3
8
© Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2010
Reproducing these support notes
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference.
Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.
Understanding Electrolysis
8. Balance the equation showing the electrolysis of brine. Include symbols of state.
NaCl + H2O→ NaOH+ H2 + Cl2
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
9. Figure 4 shows a cell used to smelt aluminum. Label the figure showing anode, cathode and
alumina.
Figure 4
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
10. Balance the equation. Al2O3 → Al + O. Include symbols of state.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
9
© Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2010
Reproducing these support notes
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference.
Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.
Understanding Electrolysis
Suggested Student Responses
Initiate Prior Learning
1. List five devices that use batteries (cells) to provide electrical energy.
Answers will vary but could include:
Radio
MP3 player
Mobile phone
Flashlight
Digital camera
Electric vehicle
2. What are the major differences between a car battery and a battery used to power a flashlight?
Size
Current
Length of time it can be used
Recharge capacity
Chemicals used in manufacture
3. What is the charge on an electron?
Negative
4. Why are some objects plated with a particular metal (e.g. silver) rather than being made with that
metal?
Much cheaper and confers same properties
5. Why do metal atoms form ions?
To achieve full outer shell (octet/noble gas structure)
10
© Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2010
Reproducing these support notes
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference.
Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.
Understanding Electrolysis
Active Viewing Guide
Complete the following sentences.
1. Chemical reactions can produce electricity and electricity can produce chemical reactions.
2. Electrolysis can be used to coat and protect metals, manufacture industrial chemicals and
refine and purify metals.
3. In cells producing electricity there are two half-cells. In one half-cell oxidation is taking place
and in the other reduction. Electrons flow through the external circuit causing a current, and
ions flow through the salt bridge.
4. Standard reduction electrode potentials compare half cells with that of hydrogen. Positive
potentials show a metal is more easily reduced and less easily oxidized than hydrogen.
5. The reactions in electrolytic cells are non spontaneous and require electrical energy to
proceed.
6. Water is a molecular substance and doesn’t conduct electricity well unless e.g. an acid is added
to make it an electrolyte Electricity causes the water to decompose and oxygen gas is given off
at the anode; and hydrogen gas at the cathode in the ratios of 1:2. Oxygen relights a glowing
splint and hydrogen “pops!” when it is ignited with a lit splint.
7. Industry uses electrolysis to produce metals such as aluminum as well as the gases chlorine
and hydrogen from brine (sodium chloride solution).
8. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a strong base and is used in the manufacture of soaps,
detergents, paper and textiles. Chlorine is used in the manufacture of the plastic polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) and in the purification of water.
9. Alumina (Al2O3) is smelted using vast quantities of electricity to produce aluminum. Cryolite is
added to lower its melting point. In the process the carbon anode is oxidized to form carbon
dioxide. Aluminum can be recycled which only uses a fraction of the energy needed to produce
it from its ore.
10. Metals often have a surface coating of an oxide and this can be increased by anodizing to
protect the metal (e.g. aluminum) against further corrosion.
11. Silver and chrome are two metals often used to plate other metals. The object to be plated is the
cathode and the metal used for plating is the anode. A similar process is used to refine copper
on an industrial scale.
12. Some batteries (cells) can be re-charged. These include the lead–acid battery used in cars,
nickel cadmium (NiCad), nickel metal hydride and lithium-ion batteries.
13. Faraday’s First Law of electrolysis states that the quantity of a substance consumed or produced
at an electrode is proportional to the electricity used. This is expressed in the formula, Q = I x t,
where Q = coulombs, I = current (amps) and t = time (seconds)
14. Faraday’s constant relates the quantity of electricity (measured in coulombs) to the quantity of
electrons passing through the circuit.
15. Silver ions have a single positive charge so one mole of silver ions will need one mole of
electrons to be reduced. Reduction takes place at the cathode. The mass of metals deposited is
the product of the number of mole multiplied by the relative atomic mass (ram)
11
© Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2010
Reproducing these support notes
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference.
Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.
Understanding Electrolysis
Extension Activities
1. Explain the difference between oxidation and reduction.
Reduction is the gain of electrons and is a decrease in oxidation state/number. Oxidation
is the loss of electrons and is a decrease in oxidation state/number.
For questions 2 &3 refer to the galvanic cell. (Figure 1)
Figure 5
2. On the diagram show polarities (+/-) of the electrodes.
The zinc electrode is negative and the copper is positive.
3. On the diagram show the flow of electrons
Electrons are flowing from zinc to copper through the external circuit (i.e. through the
voltmeter)
For questions 4, 5 & 6 refer to the electrolytic cell (Figure 2) which was set up to plate a key with
copper.
Figure 6
4. On the diagram show polarities (+/-) of the electrodes.
The copper electrode is positive and the key is negative.
5. Write an equation for the reaction occurring at the copper electrode.
Cu(s) → Cu2+(aq) + 2e¯
6. Suggest a suitable electrolyte.
Copper sulphate
12
© Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2010
Reproducing these support notes
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference.
Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.
Understanding Electrolysis
7. Figure 3 shows a Hoffman voltameter. Outline how it operates.
Figure 7
DC current is supplied to the (unreactive) electrodes. Hydrogen is given off at the negative
cathode and oxygen is given off at the positive anode in the ratio of 2:1.
8. Balance the equation showing the electrolysis of brine. Include symbols of state.
NaCl + H2O→ NaOH+ H2 + Cl2
2NaCl(aq) + 2H2O (l) → 2NaOH (aq) + H2 (g) + Cl2(g)
9. Figure 4 shows a cell used to smelt aluminum. Label the figure showing anode, cathode and
alumina.
Figure 8
The anode is the positive terminal (carbon), the cathode is the negative terminal (casing)
and the alumina is the contents of the cell
10. Balance the equation. Al2O3 → Al + O. Include symbols of state.
Al2O3(l) → 2Al(l) + 1½O2(g) or 2Al2O3(l) → 4Al(l) + 3O2(g)
13
© Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2010
Reproducing these support notes
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference.
Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.
