Class VIII Science

Notes for Chemical Effects of Electric Current

Facts that Matter
•   The materials which allow electric current to pass through are called good conductors of
electricity. For example, metals like copper and alu inium.
•   The materials which do not allow electric current to pass through them easily are called poor
conductor of electricity. For example, rubber, plastic and wood.
•   Due to the h eating effect of current, the filament of the bulb of the tester gets heated to a high
temperature and it starts glowing.
•   If the current through a circuit is too weak, the filament does not get heated sufficiently and it does
not glow.
•   LED (Light Emitting Diodes) can be used in place of the electric bulb in the tester, LED glows
even when a weak electric current flows through it.
•   s electric current produces magnetic current, a tester can be prepared by using a compass
needle. The deflection of the magnetic needle can be seen, even when current is small.
•   Distilled water is poor conductor of electricity. Water collected from taps, hand pumps, wells and
ponds is not pure m d contain dissolved salts so it is good conductor of electricity.
•   Most liquids that conduct electricity are solutions of acids, bases and salts.
•   Chemical effect of the electric current: The passage of an electric current through a conducting
solution causes chemical reaction. That may cause formation of bubbles of a gas on the electrodes,
deposites of metal on electrodes, changes of colour of solutions etc.
•   Electroplating: The process of depositing a layer of any desired metal on another material by
means of electricity is called electroplating. it is one of the most common application of chemical
effects of electric current.
•   Uses of Electroplating: Electroplating is widely used in indust for coating metal objects with a
thin layer of a deferent metal. This may be done to
       — make objects appear shiny,
       — prevent corrosion,
       — make objects resistant to scratches.
       — coat less reactive metal on more reactive metals to protect from getting spoilt,
       — electroplate less expensive metals with silver and gold to make ornaments.
       For example:
       — Chromium has a shiny appearance, does not corrode and is resistant to scratches. But,
chromium is expensive and it is not economical to make the whole object out of chromium. So, the
objects, such as taps, car parts, wheel rims etc. made from a cheaper metal and electroplated with
chromium.
       — Jewellery made of cheap metal is elecroplate i with silver or gold to appear as if made of
silver or gold.
       — Tin is less reactive than iron. So, iron cans used for food items are electroplated with tin to
prevent spoilage from contact with iron.
       — Iron used in bridges and automobiles is electroplated with a coating of zinc to protect it from
corrosion and formation of rust.
•   The disposal of the used conducting solution of electroplating factories is a major problem. It is a
polluting waste and there are specific disposal guidelines to protect the environment.

Chemical Effects of Electric Current

Multiple choice Questions
1.   Plastic wire is
        a. An insulator
        b. A conductor
        c. Both of these

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        d. None of these
2.   Electroplating is based on
        a. Magnetic effect of electricity
        b. Chemical effect of electricity
        c. Heating effect of electricity
        d. Physical effect of electricity
3.   Adding common salt to distilled water makes it
        a. Good conductor
        b. Insulator
        c. No
        d. Both a and b
4.   An electrolyte is
        a. a metal
        b. a solution
        c. a liquid that conducts current
        d. all of above
5.   Copper wire is a
        a. Good conductor
        b. Poor conductor
        c. Both a and b
        d. None of this
6.   Poor conductors are
        a. Plastics
        b. Clothes
        c. Wood
        d. All of these
7.   Distilled water is
        a. Poor conductor
        b. Good conductor
        c. Both a and b
        d. None
8.   Flow of electron is called
        a. Electroplating
        b. Electric current
        c. Electrodes
        d. Electrolyte
9.   Electroplating prevents
        a. Current
        b. Chemical effect
        c. Rusting
        d. All
10.   An electric lamp glows due to
        a. Chemical effect
        b. Magnetic effect
        c. Heating effect
        d. None
Answers:
1.    A
2.    B
3.    A
4.    C
5.    A
6.    D

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7.    A
8.    B
9.    C
10. C

Chemical Effects of Electric Current

HOTS
1.   What are insulators of electricity?
2.   Name some substances other than water which conducts electricity?
3.   Which effect of current causes the bulb to glow?
4.   What is magnetic effect of electric current?
5.   What are electrodes?
6.   Explain mechanism of glowing bulb?
7.   What do you mean by magnetic effect of electricity?
8.   Prepare a tester to test conduction based on magnetic effect of the electricity.
9.   Name some substances which make the liquids good conductor of electricity.
10.   Give two examples of poor conductors of electricity.
Chemical Effects of Electric Current
Sample paper Questions
1.   Why it is dangerous to touch electrical appliances with wet hands?
2.   Name substances which make any liquid good conductor of electricity?
3.   Name the part of bulb that glows.
4.   Does distilled water conduct electricity?
5.   Name the gas deposited on negative electrode.
6.   How can you test liquids conduct or do not conduct the electricity?
7.   Explain why a bulb glows on passing current.
8.   What is chemical effect of electricity? Give some examples of chemical effects.
9.   What are the two methods of testing an insulator or conductor?
10.   Write true/False
           a. Rubber is an insulator.
           b. Electroplating causes rusting.
           c. Vinegar can __________ electricity.
Chemical Effects of Electric Current

Test
Maximum time: 40 minutes
Maximum marks: 20 marks
1.   What is LED? Write its full form. (2)
2.   Write three liquids that conduct electricity. (1)
3.   Define electroplating.(1)
4.   How will you test the magnetic effect of current? ( 2)
5.   Write two useful effects of electroplating?( 2)
6.   Write an activity to show that a liquid conducts electricity.( 4)
7.   How will you test the chemical effect of electric current? (3)
8.   What is a tester? (1)
9.   The ordinary water electricity while distilled water does not. Why? (2)
10.   Why do we need magnetic compass to test the conduction of electric current? (2)

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