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3 Electrolysis
Electrolysis is the decomposition (breakdown) of a compound using electricity. This
unit will help you to explain what happens in electrolysis and to predict and explain the
products formed during electrolysis.

In the exam, you will be asked to tackle questions such as the one below.

Exam-style question
1 An electrolysis experiment is carried out on different solutions. Electricity is passed through
each solution, as shown in Figure 1.
6 volt d.c.
power supply

+ –

graphite
electrodes

Figure 1

(a) Some of the solutions are electrolytes.

Chemistry
Chemistry
State what is meant by the term electrolyte.

(2 marks)
(b) When a solution of sodium chloride, NaCl, is electrolysed the products formed
at the electrodes are hydrogen and chlorine.
Explain the formation of the products at the electrodes.

(4 marks)

You will already have done some work on predicting and explaining the products of electrolysis.
Before starting the skills boosts, rate your confidence in each area. Colour in the
bars.

How can I predict How do I explain How do I explain

1 the products of 2 what oxidation and 3 the products formed
electrolysis? reduction are? during electrolysis?

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When you explain why specific products are formed in electrolysis, it is important to use the
correct scientific terms in your explanation.
Key terms
• An ionic compound is a compound between a metallic element and a non-metallic element.
• An electrolyte is an ionic compound that conducts electricity An aqueous solution is when a
when molten or in aqueous solution. An electrolyte conducts solute is dissolved in water.
electricity when the ions are able to move.
• Electrolysis is the process in which electrical energy,
from a direct current supply, decomposes an electrolyte. Decompose means to break down.

1 Complete the following sentences, using words from the box.

conduct  decomposed  electrolysis  melted  move  stop  titration

Molten sodium chloride is into sodium and Look at Chemistry unit 1

to find out how ions are
chlorine by  . Sodium chloride is an ionic formed.

compound. Both molten and aqueous sodium chloride will

electricity because the ions are free to  .

Two electrodes are connected to a direct current (d.c.) 6 volt d.c.
electricity supply and placed into an electrolyte, as shown power supply
in the diagram.
+ –
In an ionic compound:
• the metal atoms form positive ions
• the non-metal atoms form negative ions. + –
anode cathode
During electrolysis, the ions in the electrolyte move towards graphite
the electrodes: electrodes
– – +
• cations are positively charged ions and are attracted to the – anions
+
negative cathode +
+ cations
+ –
• anions are negatively charged ions and are attracted to the – +
+ –
positive anode.

2 Look at these formulae: K+  F−  H2O  Cl−  SO42−  Mg2+  CO2

a Circle A the cations in the list of formulae.
b List the ions that will be attracted to the anode during electrolysis.

3 Join each scientific word to the correct definition.

A process in which electrical energy, from a direct current,

decomposes electrolytes
Electrolyte

To break down a compound into simpler compounds or into

Electrolysis
elements
Decomposition
An ionic compound which conducts electricity when molten or
dissolved in water

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1 How can I predict the products of electrolysis?

Salts contain positive metal ions and negative non-metal ions. When a molten salt is electrolysed, ions are
discharged as atoms or molecules at the electrodes. You can predict the products of electrolysis of any
molten salt. This is because the salt always decomposes into its elements.

During the electrolysis of molten sodium chloride: Molten means the salt has been heated
until it melts and forms a liquid.
• sodium metal is produced at the cathode
• chlorine gas is produced at the anode.

1 Complete the table below, identifying the products formed during the electrolysis of the
molten salts. Sodium chloride has been done for you.

Product at the cathode Product at the anode

sodium chloride sodium chlorine

lead bromide

potassium iodide

copper chloride

2 Predict the products formed at the cathode Look back at the previous page if you can’t
and the anode when molten potassium bromide is remember what happens at each electrode.
electrolysed.
a at cathode:

Chemistry
Chemistry
b at anode:

3 Molten sodium chloride can be electrolysed but solid sodium chloride cannot.
a Are the ions free to move in solid or molten sodium chloride? Circle A the correct answer.

solid molten

b Does solid sodium chloride or molten sodium chloride conduct electricity? Circle A the
correct answer.

solid molten

c Explain why molten sodium chloride can be electrolysed Use the information in a and b
but solid sodium chloride cannot be electrolysed. to answer c .

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2 How do I explain what oxidation and reduction are?

The words oxidation and reduction are used to describe the reactions that take place at the electrodes
during electrolysis.

1 The diagram shows the apparatus used in electrolysis.

Label the diagram, using the key terms in the box. Check the meaning of the key terms.
6 volt d.c.
power supply

+ –

anode
cathode
electrolyte

What happens during electrolysis?

• Negative ions, called anions, move to the positive electrode, called the anode.
• At the anode, negative ions lose electrons. Oxidation Is the Loss of electrons. Remember this
• Positive ions, called cations, move to the negative electrode, called the cathode. imformation using
• At the cathode, positive ions gain electrons. Reduction Is the Gain of electrons. OIL RIG.

2 Identify the following reactions as oxidation or reduction reactions.

Tick the correct answers.
oxidation reduction
a Copper ions, Cu2+, gain electrons at the cathode, to form copper
atoms.
b Chloride ions, Cl−, lose electrons at the anode, to form chlorine
atoms. Chlorine atoms are bonded together to form chlorine
molecules, Cl2.

3 The reactions at the electrodes can be shown as half equations.

• At the cathode: Cu2+(aq) + 2e− → Cu(s) e− is used to show an electron
in half equations.
• At the anode: 2Cl−(aq) → Cl2 + 2e−
a Where does reduction take place?
b Where does oxidation take place?
c Explain your answers to a and b .

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3 How do I explain the products formed during electrolysis?

To explain the products formed during electrolysis, you need to:

• identify the ions present
• work out the electrodes the ions are attracted to
• explain what happens to the ions at the electrodes.

1 Molten potassium chloride is electrolysed.

a List the ions present in the electrolyte.
b Write which ions will be attracted to each electrode.

i anode ii cathode
c Write the products formed.
Water molecules ionise to a very small extent, producing some hydrogen ions, H+(aq), and hydroxide
ions, OH−(aq). If an ionic compound is dissolved in water, there will be H+(aq) ions and OH−(aq) ions
as well as the ions from the ionic compound.
2 Write the four ions present in an aqueous solution of sodium iodide.

Learn the following rules to predict the products formed at each electrode during the electrolysis
of an aqueous solution.

At the cathode At the anode

If the metal is less reactive than hydrogen, the If the negative ion is simple (for example,
metal will form. For example, copper is less chloride, Cl−), the element will form. Chlorine is
reactive than hydrogen, so copper will form: produced from chloride ions:
Cu2+(aq) + 2e− → Cu(s) 2Cl−(aq) → Cl2(g) + 2e−

Chemistry
Chemistry
If the metal is more reactive than hydrogen, If the negative ion is polyatomic (e.g. sulfate,
hydrogen gas will form. For example, sodium is SO42−), oxygen gas will form. If aqueous sodium
more reactive than hydrogen, so hydrogen forms: sulfate is electrolysed, oxygen gas forms:
2H+(aq) + 2e− → H2(g) 4OH−(aq) → 2H2O(l) + O2(g) + 4e−
3 Aqueous copper sulfate is electrolysed.
Is copper more or less reactive than hydrogen? You may
a What forms at the cathode? need to look at the reactivity series to work this out.

b What forms at the anode?

4 An aqueous solution of potassium chloride is electrolysed. Remember The H+ ions and

a Circle A the ions present in the solution. OH− ions come from the water.

Br−(aq) Cl−(aq) CO32−(aq) H+(aq) I−(aq) K+(aq) Li+(aq) Na+(aq) OH−(aq) SO42−(aq)

b Circle A the products formed.

Br2(l) Cl2(g) CO2(g) H2(g) H2O(l) I2(s) K(s) Li(s) Na(s)

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Sample response
In a question about the products formed during the electrolysis of an ionic compound, you need to
answer these questions:
• Is the electrolyte molten or in aqueous solution?
• Which ions are present and which electrode will they be attracted to?
• Which ions will lose or gain electrons and which products will be formed?

Exam-style question
1 When a solution of copper sulfate, CuSO4, is electrolysed, the products formed at the
electrodes are copper and oxygen.
Explain the formation of the products at the electrodes.  (4 marks)

1 Look at the student answer to the above exam-style question.

Copper sulfate solution is made of copper ions and sulfate ions. The water also is
made up of some hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions. The copper (Cu2+) ions and
hydrogen ions (H+) are attracted to the cathode, where copper atoms are formed.
The sulfate ions (SO42−) and hydroxide ions (OH−) are attracted to the anode, where
oxygen molecules are formed.
/4
a Using the mark scheme shown below, decide how many marks you would award this answer.

Mark scheme
• Hydrogen (H+) and copper (Cu2+) ions are attracted to the cathode, and
hydroxide (OH−) ions and sulfate (SO42−) ions are attracted to the anode (1 mark)
• because the ions are attracted to the oppositely charged electrode (1 mark)
• 1 copper ion accepts 2 electrons to form a copper atom, Cu (1 mark)
• 4 hydroxide ions (4 OH−) lose 4 electrons to form an oxygen molecule (O2) (1 mark)
b How could this student answer be improved to gain more marks?

2 Now write your own answer to Explain means you need to say how or why something happens.
the exam-style question. Make sure your answer contains some reasoning.

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Your turn!
It is now time to use what you have learned to answer the question below. Remember to read the
question thoroughly, looking for clues. Make good use of your knowledge from other areas of chemistry.

Read the exam-style question and answer it using the guided steps below.

Exam-style question
1 An electrolysis experiment is carried out on different solutions. Electricity is passed through
each solution, as shown in Figure 1.
6 volt d.c.
power supply

+ –

graphite
electrodes

Figure 1

(a) Some of the solutions are electrolytes. State what is meant by the term electrolyte. (2 marks)
(b) When a solution of sodium chloride, NaCl, is electrolysed the products formed
at the electrodes are hydrogen and chlorine.
Explain the formation of the products at the electrodes. (4 marks)

Chemistry
Chemistry
1 a Write your answer to part (a). State means recall one or more pieces of information.

b i Highlight the key words. Explain means to say how or why something happens.

What do these words tell you?

• solution: Are the ions free to move? The solute is dissolved in water. Some water is
ionised.
• hydrogen: Why is sodium not a product? What happens to the ions?
ii Now answer part (b) here. Note that there are 4 marks for this part of the question.

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Need more practice?

In the exam, questions about electrolysis could occur as:
• simple standalone questions
• part of a question that includes calculations relating to the mass of the products formed
• part of a question about a practical test.

Have a go at this exam-style question.

Exam-style question
1 An electrolysis experiment is carried out on different solutions, F, G and H.
Any products formed at the electrodes are identified. The results are shown below.

Solution Does solution Product at Product at anode

conduct electricity? cathode
F yes copper oxygen
G no none none
H yes hydrogen chlorine
(a) Some of these solutions are electrolytes. Explain which of F, G and H are electrolytes.

(2 marks)
(b) When a solution of potassium sulfate, K2SO4, is electrolysed, the products formed at the
electrodes are hydrogen and oxygen.
Explain the formation of the products at the electrodes.

(4 marks)

Boost your grade

To improve your grade, practise writing half equations for the reactions at the electrodes.
The reactivity series will tell you if a metal is more or less reactive than hydrogen. This will help
you to predict the products formed during the electrolysis of aqueous solutions.

How confident do you feel about each of these skills? Colour in the bars.

How can I predict How do I explain How do I explain

1 the products of 2 what oxidation and 3 the products formed
electrolysis? reduction are? during electrolysis?

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