Question

Define electrolysis and what is the process of electrolysis?

Answer 1

Part 1: Electrolysis

• It is the breaking of chemical bonds in compounds to produce elemental substances.
• The process involves passing electric current at a specific voltage between two electrodes, through the compound (electrolyte) to be decomposed.
• The electrolytes are the substances that dissociate or ionized into their ions like cations and anions on passing an electric current through its aqueous solution. This phenomenon is called electrolysis.
• The voltage required for the process depends on the ability of the ions to receive or release electrons.

Part 2: Process of electrolysis

• In the process of electrolysis, there is an interchange of ions and atoms due to the addition or removal of electrons from the external circuit.
• Basically, on passing current, cations travel towards the cathode, take electrons from the cathode (given by the supply source battery), and are discharged into the neutral atom.
• The neutral atom, if solid, is deposited on the cathode, and if gas moves upwards.
• This is a reduction process and the cation is, reduced at the cathode.
• At the same time anions, give up their extra electrons to the anode and are oxidized to neutral atoms at the anode.
• Electrons released by the anions move across the electrical circuit and reach the cathode.
• Electrolysis involves a simultaneous oxidation reaction at the anode and a reduction reaction at the cathode.

Part 3: Example

• When an electric current, is, passed through molten sodium chloride (NaCl), the sodium ion (Na⁺) is attracted by the cathode, from which, it takes an electrode and becomes a sodium (Na) atom.
• Chloride ion (Cl^-) reaches the anode, gives its electron, and becomes a chlorine atom to form a chlorine (Cl₂) molecule.