PRINCIPLES OF

CHEMISTRY
9. ELECTROCHEMISTRY
Objectives

Students will be able to:

▶ 9.1 Conduct investigations leading to the classification of substances
as conductors or non-conductors.
▶ 9.2 Distinguish between metallic and electrolytic conduction.
▶ 9.3 Classify electrolytes as strong or weak based on their conductivity.
▶ 9.4 Define electrolysis, cathode, anode, cation, anion.
▶ 9.5 Identify ions present in electrolytes.
▶ 9.6 Predict the electrode to which an ion will drift
▶ 9.7 Predict chemical reactions making use of electrochemical series.
▶ 9.8 Discuss the electrolysis of certain substances.
▶ 9.9 Define the Faraday constant.
▶ 9.10 Calculate the masses and volumes of substances liberated during
electrolysis.
▶ 9.11 Describe industrial applications of electrolysis.
 Conductors are materials which allow an
electric current to pass through. For example
metals.

Non-conductors, also known as insulators are

materials which do not allow an electric
current to pass through. For example plastics.

In this Venn Diagram the graphite in the

pencil is a conductor where as the wood
surrounding the graphite is an insulator.

Watch this video!!!

How to test to see if a material is a conductor! Click here!

 Metallic vs Electrolytic conductors
Conductors are classified into two main categories:
metallic and electrolytic conductors.
 Classification of Electrolytes
Electrolytes are substances whose aqueous
solution or molten state conduct electricity
accompanied by chemical decomposition.
The conduction of current through electrolyte is due
to the movement of ions.

Strong electrolytes dissociate completely in

solution. Where as, weak electrolytes only partially
dissociate.
 Electrolysis
Electrolysis is use of an electric current to
decompose (break down) an electrolyte to form its
elements.
Cations are positive ions. The cathode (negative electrode)
gets it’s name from the ions that are attracted to it. The
cathode is attached to the negative end of the battery
therefore the positive cations are attracted to it.

Anions (negative ions) go to the positive electrode known

as the anode.
Predicting the products of electrolysis
 At the cathode, cations gain electrons
(reduction).
 When there are two or more cations
present you can use the
electrochemical series to determine
which ion would be preferentially
discharged.
 The electrochemical series for metals
arrange them in decreasing reactivity
from top to bottom.
 More reactive metals (to the top of
the series) tend to give up electrons
easily. The less reactive ones to the
bottom of the series tend to accept
electrons.
 Since cations gain electrons at the
cathode the cations lower down in the
electrochemical series will be
produced at the cathode rather than
cations higher up.
 Predicting reactions using the
electrochemical series of metals
 As the more reactive metals tend to give up
electrons easily (i.e become oxidized) the
reducing power of the metals increase as the
you up the series.
 Metals to the top are stronger reducing agents,
where as metals to the bottom are stronger
oxidizing agents.
 Therefore a metal higher up in the series
displaces a metal lower down because it
readily gives electrons to the metal lower
down. This metal ion lower down accepts these
electrons and become atoms (i.e. are
discharged) while the metal higher up loses
electrons (ionizes) to become a cation.
Zn(s) + CuSO4 (aq)  ZnSO4(aq) + Cu(s)

N.B. – metals above hydrogen tend to give up

electrons to the hydrogen ion in a solution to form
hydrogen gas which is discharged from the solution
and the metal becomes ionized in the process.
Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq)  MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)
At the anode, anions lose electrons (oxidation). More reactive anions to
the top of the series, tend to accept electrons easily, not lose them. The
ones lower in the series tend to lose electrons easily, so anions lower in
the electrochemical series will be produced at the anode rather than
anions higher up.

SO42-
NO3-

OH-

The products formed also depend on: ■ concentration of electrolyte.

■ type of electrode (active or inert).
More reactive non-metals tend to accept electrons more readily than
give it up.
Hence a non-metal ion higher than another ion will accept electrons from
the lower ion and become ionized, while the lower ion will be
discharged.

SO42-
NO3-

OH-

For example Cl2(g) + 2KI(aq)  2KCl (aq) + I2(aq)

Electrolysis of dilute sulfuric acid
Carbon (inert) electrodes

Ions present: H+, SO42-, OH-

At the cathode:
2H+(aq) +2e- → H2(g)

At the anode: (OH- is lower in the series)

4OH-(aq) - 4e- → 2H2O(l) + O2(g)
Electrolysis of concentrated aqueous sodium
chloride
Platinum (inert) electrodes

Ions present: Na+, H+, Cl-, OH-

Because the conc. of Na+ is high, you
At the cathode: might expect that this be deposited at the
2H+(aq) +2e- → H2(g) cathode. However, Na+ is too reactive for
this to happen so H2 is given off instead.

At the anode: (conc. of Cl- is high

since it is a conc. solution)
2Cl-(aq) - 2e- → Cl2(g)
Na+ and OH- stay behind and combine to
make NaOH solution.
In the chemical industry, Hydrogen is used as a fuel
and for making ammonia. Chlorine is used to kill
bacteria in water, and to make bleach and plastics.
Sodium hydroxide is used to make soap and bleach.
Electrolysis of dilute aqueous sodium chloride
Platinum (inert) electrodes

Ions present: Na+, H+, Cl-, OH-

At the cathode: (H+ is lower in the series)

2H+(aq) +2e- → H2(g)

At the anode: (OH- is lower in the series)

4OH-(aq) - 4e- → 2H2O(l) + O2(g)
Electrolysis of aqueous copper (II) sulfate
Carbon (inert) electrodes

Ions present: H+, Cu2+, SO42-, OH-

At the cathode: (Cu2+ is lower in the series)

Cu2+(aq) +2e- → Cu(s)

At the anode: (OH- is lower in the series)

As copper is deposited on the cathode the 4OH-(aq) - 4e- → 2H2O(l) + O2(g)
blue colour of copper sulfate solution fades.
Electrolysis of aqueous copper (II) sulfate
Copper electrodes

Ions present: H+, Cu2+, SO4-, OH-

At the cathode: (Cu2+ is lower in the series)

Cu2+(aq) +2e- → Cu(s)

At the anode:
Cu(s) - 2e- → Cu2+(aq)
Blue colour of copper sulfate solution does
not fade as copper ions are constantly being
replaced.
Electrolysis of molten lead (II) bromide
Carbon electrodes

Ions present: Pb2+, Br-

At the cathode:
Pb2+(l) +2e- → Pb(l)

At the anode:
2Br-(l) - 2e- → Br2(g)
Faraday Constant
Question

Calculate the time to deposit 1.27 g of copper at cathode when a current of 2A was
passed through the solution of CuS04. (Molar mass of Cu = 63.5 g mol-1, 1 F = 96500 C
mol-1)

Mass of copper deposited = 1.27g

Molar mass of Cu = 63.5 g mol-1
No. of moles of Cu deposited = 1.27g/63.5 g mol-1
= 0.02 mol
Cu2+(aq) +2e- → Cu(s)

If 1 mole of Cu(s) is deposited 2 moles of electrons were used

∴ 0.02 mol of Cu(s) = (0.02 X 2) = 0.04 mol of electrons used
1 mol of electrons = 96500 C of charge
0.04 mol of electrons = (0.04 x 96500) = 3860 C

Q = It
3860 C = 2A (t)
t = 3860 C/ 2A = 1930s
 Extraction of aluminium
Aluminium and metals above it in the electrochemical series can be extracted using
electrolysis

Aluminium ore (bauxite) is made molten by dissolving

it in molten cryolite

Ions present: Al3+, O2-

At the cathode:
Al3+(aq) +3e- → Al(s)

At the anode:
2O2--(aq) - 4e- → O2(g)
Purification of copper by electrolysis
Copper electrodes

Ions present: H+, Cu2+, SO42-, OH-

At the cathode: (Cu2+ is lower in the series)

Cu2+(aq) +2e- → Cu(s)

At the anode:
Cu(s) - 2e- → Cu2+(aq)
Here the anode is made from impure copper,
the cathode is pure copper and the
electrolyte is aqueous copper (II) sulfate.
 Copper electroplating

Ions present: H+, Cu2+, SO42-, OH-

At the cathode: (Cu2+ is lower in the series)

Cu2+(aq) +2e- → Cu(s)
The anode is made from impure copper and
the cathode is object to be electroplated. The At the anode:
electrolyte is aqueous copper (II) sulfate. Cu(s) - 2e- → Cu2+(aq)
 Silver electroplating

Ions present: H+, Ag+, NO3-, OH-

At the cathode: (Ag+ is lower in the series)

Ag+(aq) + e- → Ag(s)
The anode is made from pure silver and the
cathode is object to be electroplated. The At the anode:
electrolyte is aqueous silver nitrate. Ag(s) - e- → Ag+(aq)
 Anodizing with aluminium

Ions present: H+, Na+, SO42-, OH-

At the cathode: (H+ is lower in the series)

2H+(aq) + 2e- → H2(g)

At the anode: (OH- is lower in the series)

4OH-(aq) - 4e- → 2H2O(l) + O2(g)

The oxygen released at the anode reacts with the aluminium to

form a corrosion resistant layer of aluminium oxide.
The cathode is made from aluminium or
lead. The anode is object to be anodized. 4Al(s) + 3O2(g) → 2Al2O3(s)
The electrolyte is aqueous sodium sulfate.
Jan 2009 P2 #4
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Jan 2010 P2 #4
Jan 2010 P2 #4
References

▶ http://electronicsisfun.in/freedom-of-movement-conductors/

▶ https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=33&v=24MEsPXQTNE

▶ https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=uCnZhzvWFoY

▶ https://www.thinglink.com/scene/434766106691895297

▶ https://www.emedicalprep.com/study-material/chemistry/electrochemistry/metallic-and-electrolytic-conductors/

▶ https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-a-metallic-and-an-electrolytic-conduction

▶ http://slideplayer.com/slide/9966348/

▶ http://slideplayer.com/slide/2523771/

▶ http://slideplayer.com/2523771/9/images/14/strong+electrolyte+weak+electrolyte+non-+electrolyte+ALL+ions.jpg

▶ http://www.chemistryjokes.com/jokes/cation/

▶ http://www.oercommons.org/courses/electrochemical-series-mnemonic-and-notes/view

▶ http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_gateway_pre_2011/periodictable/electrolysisrev2.shtml

▶ http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/triple_ocr_gateway/chemistry_out_there/electrolysis/revision/
3/

▶ http://www.cbsesamplepapers.info/cbse/cbse-previous-year-solved-papers-class-12-chemistry-outside-delhi-2015