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Question
How does electrolysis work and explain chemical effect of electric current ?
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Solution
We can understand the process of electrolysis by looking at an example involving the purification of a copper metal (Diagram 1). In this case, an impure copper metal is the anode, while the pure copper metal is the cathode. Th goal of this example is to use electrolysis for the purpose of recycling a dirty old piece of copper pipe, or impure copper, to a beautiful, purified copper pipe.
TermDefinitionsElectrolyteThis is a substance that willform ions (charged atoms) in solutionEelectrodeA device that uses conduction to moveelectrons in and out of a solutionCathodeA type of electrode that is negatively charged.Cations (atoms with a positive charge) areattracted to this electrode.AnodeA type of electrode that is positively charged.Anions (atom with a negative charge) are attracted to this electrodeDirect Current supply (battery)Device that powers the electrolysis process.It provides the energy needed to eitherform or release ions in as electrolysis.
Components of an Electrolytic Cell
The copper sulfate electrolyte, or solution, ensures there is a liquid medium conductive for ion movement inside the cell (a). When copper ions leave the impure copper pipe, through the help of a DC current supply, they migrate from the anode (b) to the cathode (c). After reaching the cathode, they collect the electrons needed to form a neutral, or no charge, copper metal. These neutral copper metal atoms gather on the pure copper cathode (d). The leftover impurities from the anode, or the ones not traveling to the cathode to be purified, collect at the bottom of the cell.
When electric current passes through a conducting solution, it causes chemical reactions .This is called electrolysis and the effect is chemical effects of electric current
Chemical Effects of Electric Current
When electric current is passed through a conducting solution, some chemical reaction takes place.
Example: -
(a) When electric current is passed through water, water dissociates into hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen is deposited over negative pole and oxygen is deposited over positive pole. Deposition of hydrogen and oxygen at different poles is visible in the form of bubbles.
(b) When electric current is passed through the solution of a metal salt, such as solution of copper sulphate, metal gets deposited at the negative pole, because metal is positively charged.
(c) Sometimes, the colour of solution also changes when electric current passes through it.
The above examples are some of the chemical effects of electric current. The chemical reaction depends upon the type of solution through which electric current is passed.
TermDefinitionsElectrolyteThis is a substance that willform ions (charged atoms) in solutionEelectrodeA device that uses conduction to moveelectrons in and out of a solutionCathodeA type of electrode that is negatively charged.Cations (atoms with a positive charge) areattracted to this electrode.AnodeA type of electrode that is positively charged.Anions (atom with a negative charge) are attracted to this electrodeDirect Current supply (battery)Device that powers the electrolysis process.It provides the energy needed to eitherform or release ions in as electrolysis.
Components of an Electrolytic Cell
The copper sulfate electrolyte, or solution, ensures there is a liquid medium conductive for ion movement inside the cell (a). When copper ions leave the impure copper pipe, through the help of a DC current supply, they migrate from the anode (b) to the cathode (c). After reaching the cathode, they collect the electrons needed to form a neutral, or no charge, copper metal. These neutral copper metal atoms gather on the pure copper cathode (d). The leftover impurities from the anode, or the ones not traveling to the cathode to be purified, collect at the bottom of the cell.
When electric current passes through a conducting solution, it causes chemical reactions .This is called electrolysis and the effect is chemical effects of electric current
Chemical Effects of Electric Current
When electric current is passed through a conducting solution, some chemical reaction takes place.
Example: -
(a) When electric current is passed through water, water dissociates into hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen is deposited over negative pole and oxygen is deposited over positive pole. Deposition of hydrogen and oxygen at different poles is visible in the form of bubbles.
(b) When electric current is passed through the solution of a metal salt, such as solution of copper sulphate, metal gets deposited at the negative pole, because metal is positively charged.
(c) Sometimes, the colour of solution also changes when electric current passes through it.
The above examples are some of the chemical effects of electric current. The chemical reaction depends upon the type of solution through which electric current is passed.
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