Electrolysis – Application of knowledge & the world around us
Electrolysis is the process by which electric current is passed through a substance to break it down into its component parts.
Some common uses of electrolysis include the extraction of metals such as aluminium, the purification of chemicals, and the electroplating of metals onto other objects to provide a protective coating.
Luigi Brunatelli was the first electroplater – he electroplated gold onto two silver medallions by linking a wire between a dissolved gold solution and a battery, also known as a voltaic pile. A metal object was then connected to the wire, allowing the gold to become attached to it.
Electrolysis Key Terms:
- Electrode:a rod of metal or graphite through which an electric current flows into or out of an electrolyte
- Electrolyte:ionic compound in molten or dissolved solution that conducts the electricity
- Anode:the positive electrode of an electrolysis cell
- Anion:negatively charged ion which is attracted to the anode
- Cathode:the negative electrode of an electrolysis cell
- Cation: positively charged ion which is attracted to the cathode
Electrical Conductivity of Ionic Compounds
Ionic compounds in a solid state cannot conduct electricity since they have no free ions that can move and carry the charge….
