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Electrolysis Concepts

Key Concepts

  • Electrolysis: the process in which an electric current is used to bring about a chemical reaction which does not occur spontaneously (Eo for the electrolytic cell is negative*).

  • Electrolytic Cell: converts electrical energy into chemical energy.
    Applied emf must be greater than the emf for the cell, ie greater than Eo for the spontaneous redox reaction.

  • Electrodes : conductors used to permit the flow of electrons in an electrochemical cell.
    One electrode is the anode, the other is the cathode.

  • Anode: Oxidation occurs at the anode.
    Anions (negatively charged ions) migrate to the anode.
    Anode is positive.
    Anode disintegrates.

  • Cathode: Reduction occurs at the cathode.
    Cations (positively charged ions) migrate to the cathode.
    Cathode is negative.
    Solid deposits at the cathode.

  • Electron flow: from anode to cathode.
    Electrons flow from positive to negative.

  • If more than one reaction is possible, the reaction with the lowest Eo will occur.

  • Mass of substance produced electrolytically is proportional to the quantity of electricity flowing.

Examples of Electrolysis and Electrolytic Cells

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*This discussion assumes that all species are present in their standard states so that the electrode potentials are standard electrode potentials.
 
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