Electrolysis

In solid conductors an electric current is the flow of _____.

Ionically bonded chemical compounds will conduct electricity if their ions are free to move. This can usually be achieved by melting or dissolving them.

Solid Ionic Compound

Ionic Compound dissolved in water

The negative ions are attracted to the _____ electrode (terminal) and the positive _____ move to the _____ _____.

At the positive electrode (anode) the negative ions _____ electrons to form electrically neutral _____.

At the negative electrode (cathode) the positive ions _____ electrons to form _____.

If the element formed at the electrode is a gas then we will see _____ being formed.

Since the elements formed at the electrodes depends on the _____ being supplied or removed if we increase the number of electrons then we increase the mass/volume of elements formed.

We can increase the number of electrons in two ways:

1. Increase the current flowing
2. Increase the time for which the current flows

Since current is proportional to the rate of electrons flowing.

Example:

During the electrolysis of copper sulphate a current of 2 Amps flows for 6 minutes, releasing 0.12g of copper. How much copper would be deposited if...

a) ...a current of 2 Amps for 12 minutes?

b) ...a current of 1 Amp for 6 minutes?

c) ...a current of 4 Amps for 3 minutes?