ELECTROLYSIS

ASHWINI .P
PUC B

Electrolysis is the decomposition of a chemical

compound in the aqueous or fused state by
passage of direct electric current resulting in
discharge of ions as neutral atoms at the
respective electrodes.
Decomposition of electrolyte
NaCl
Na1+ [cation] + Cl1- [anion]
Discharge of ions as neutral atoms
At cathode: Na1+ + 1eNa
At anode: Cl1- - 1eCl

ELECTROLYTES
Chemical compounds which conduct electricity in
the fused or in the aq.solution state and undergo
chemical decomposition due to the flow of current
through it.
Ex: dil HCl, HNO3, KOH,NaOH.
NON-ELECTROLYTES
Chemical compounds which do not conduct
electricity in the fused or in the aq.solution state
and do not undergo chemical decomposition due
to the flow of current through it .
Ex:kerosene,glucose.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL
The device in which electrolysis is carried out is
called electrolytic cell or voltmeter which contains
electrodes and the electrolytic solution.
ELECTRODES
They allow the electric current to enter or leave the
electrolytic solution.
The electrodes are connected to a battery via a key
or switch and depending on their connection to the
battery are classified as anode or cathode.

ANODE
It is the electrode connected to the positive
terminal of the battery.
Anions migrate to the anode .
The anions donate excess electrons to the
anode and are oxidised to neutral atoms.
CATHODE
It is the electrode connected to the negative
terminal of the battery.
Cations migrate to the Cathode.
The cations gain excess electrons from the
cathode and are reduced to neutral atoms .

IONS
Ions are atoms which carry a positive or a negative
charge and become free when electric current is
passed through an aq.solution of a chemical
compound.
ANIONS
They are negatively charged ions.
CATIONS
They are positively charged ions.

ELECTROLYSIS OF
MOLTEN LEAD
BROMIDE
Electrolytic cell : Silica
crucible
Electrolyte
: Molten
lead bromide
Electrode :
Cathode - iron or graphite
Anode -iron
Current:3 amperes

ELECTRODE REACTION
Dissociation of PbBr2

PbBr2

Pb2+ + 2Br1-

Reaction at cathode
Pb2+ + 2ePb
Reaction at anode
Br1- 1eBr + Br

Br
Br2

Product at cathode: lead metal.

Product at anode: reddish brown bromine
vapours.
1.The crucible is made of silica since it is nonreactive, withstands high temperature and is
almost a non conductor of electricity.
2.The electrodes are inert since they do not take
part in the reaction otherwise they would
prevent the discharge of respective ions.

3.A graphite anode is preferred to other inert

electrodes since graphite is unaffected by
reactive bromine vapours.
APPLICATIONS OF ELECTROLYSIS
ELECTROPLATING: It is the electrolytic
process of deposition of a superior
metal[eg.nickel,silver] on the surface of a
baser metal or article.[eg.iron,copper,brass].

REASONS FOR ELECTROPLATING

1.Prevents rusting of the base metal.
Eg:base metal iron plated with nickel
2.Gives the article an expensive appearance.
Eg:a brass article plated with silver or gold.
ELECTROREFINING
It is a process by which metals containing
impurities are purified electrolytically to give a
pure metal.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
WIKIPEDIA
GOOGLE

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