Chapter 6

Electrochemistry
A. Electrolytes & Non-electrolytes
Electrolytes
Substances that can conduct electricity and
undergo chemical changes

Non-electrolytes
Substances that cannot conduct electricity
Electrolyte

Non-electrolyte
Why electrolyte at molten and aqueous state
can conduct electricity?

BECAUSE
There presence of free moving ions in the
electrolyte
B. Electrolysis of Molten Compounds

Electrolysis
A process where compounds in molten or
aqueous state are broken down into their
constituent elements by passing electricity
through them
 Electrolytic cell
The set of apparatus needed to conduct
STEPS OCCUR DURING
electrolysis ELECTROLYSIS
+ - Movement of ions to the
electrodes.
Discharges of ions at the
electrodes.

Graphite or platinum
Anode Cathode is usually used as
electrodes because
they are inert.
Electrolyte
 Important note: Observation
Anode (positive electrode)
Electrolysis product Observation Confirmatory test

Chlorine gas Greenish-yellow gas Place moist blue litmus

bubbles released paper into test tube
Moist blue litmus paper
Bromine gas Brown gas released turn red
Iodine Purple gas released
Oxygen gas Colourless gas bubble Place a glow wooden
released splinter near the mouth
of test tube
The glowing wooden
splinter light up

Metal (all metal) The mass of electrode decreased

Copper metal Brown solid formed
 Important note: Observation
Cathode (negative electrode)

Electrolysis product Observation Confirmatory test

Almost all metal Grey solid formed No test for metals

(except copper metal) The mass of electrode
increase
Copper metal Brown solid formed
Hydrogen gas Colourless gas bubbles Place a lighted wooden
released splinter near the mouth
of test tube
A pop sound
heard/produced
Electrolysis of molten compound
 Electrolysis of molten compound
PbBr2
LiCl
MgBr2
PbI2
ZnO
CuCl2
Molten Potassium oxide
Molten Magnesium oxide
Molten Potassium iodide
 Electrolysis of Aqueous Solutions
Factors that affect the electrolysis of an
aqueous solution
Position of ions in the Electrochemical
Series
Concentration of ions in the electrolytes
Types of electrodes used in the electrolysis
 Position of ions in
the Electrochemical Series
The ions that are lower in the electrochemical
series will be selected discharged
The Electrochemical Series
K+ F-
Na+ SO42-
Ca2+ NO3-
Mg2+ Cl-
Al3+ Br-
Zn2+ I-
Fe2+ OH-
Sn2+
Pb2+
H+ Ease of discharge
increases
Cu2+
Ag+
0.01 mol dm-3 of copper(II) sulphate
using carbon as electrodes

Carbon Carbon

1 mol dm-3 of
copper(II) sulphate
solution
 Concentration of ions
If the concentration of a particular ions is
high, the ions is selectively discharged
TIPS:

ANODE
Ion selectively discharged based on CONCENTRATION of
ions

CATHODE
Ion selectively discharged based on position of ions in
Electrochemical Series
2 mol dm-3 of hydrochloric acid, HCl
using platinum as electrodes

Platinum Platinum

2 mol dm-3 of
hydrochloric acid, HCl
Anode :

Cathode :
 Types of electrodes
Electrolysis of copper(II) sulphate, CuSO4
solution using copper electrode
Electrolysis of silver nitrate, AgNO3 solution
using silver electrode
0.02 mol dm-3 of copper(II) sulphate, CuSO4
using copper as electrodes

Copper Copper

0.02 mol dm-3 of

copper(II) sulphate,
CuSO4
Anode :

Cathode :
0.02 mol dm-3 of silver nitrate, AgNO3
using silver as electrodes

Silver Silver

0.02 mol dm-3 of silver

nitrate, AgNO3
 D. Electrolysis in Industries
The most industrial application of electrolysis:
1. extraction
2. purification
3. electroplating of metals
 E. Voltaic Cells
Chemical energy to electrical energy
Examples of chemical cell:
simple voltaic cell
Daniell cell
dry cell
alkaline cell
lead-acid accumulator
 Simple Voltaic Cell
Two different metals being immersed into an
electrolyte and connected by wire

V
 Daniell cell has two types
Use porous pot
Use salt bridge
Use porous pot
Use salt bridge
 F. The Electrochemical Series
The Electrochemical Series is series of
element, arranged according to the order of
decreasing tendency to released electrons.
Or the greater the tendency to donate
electrons, the more electropositive is the
metal and the higher it is in the
Electrochemical Series.
 Principles Used:
Metals are arranged according to the tendency of
their atoms to release electron.
More the tendency of their atoms to release
electron, the higher located it is in the series.
Elements located at HIGHER part of the
Electrochemical Series are more electropositive
and have higher tendencies to release electrons
to form positive ions.
Example : magnesium is more electropositive
than copper in Electrochemical Series
 The Electrochemical Series can be
constructed based on:
Metals are arranged according to their tendency
to release electrons to form positive ion (cation).
metal has a higher tendency to release
electron placed a the higher position in
Electrochemical Series.
the metal act as negative terminal
The ability of a metal to displace another metal
from its salt solution.
If metal is able to displace another metal
from its salt solution, this metal is placed
at the higher position in Electrochemical
Series
The potential difference between two metals.
The further apart between two metals in
the Electrochemical Series, the greater the
potential difference between them.
The greater the voltage produced by the
cell.