SUBJECT: Chemistry UNIT: 3 CLASS: S.2.

TOPIC: THE EFFECT OF ELECTRICITY ON SUBSTANCES INTRODUCTION In chemistry, you might have learnt that some reactions proceed easily (spontaneously) either naturally or on application of heat. Other reactions can only occur (need to be forced to proceed) by supplying energy with an externally applied electric current, for example, a battery. This process is called electrolysis. Electrolysis is important in that it is used in the extraction of reactive metals, such as potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and aluminium; electroplating metals to improve their appearance and reduce corrosion/prevent rusting and in refining metals such as copper. For example, copper is mined in Kilembe and is transported to Jinja for purifying electrolytically. Electroplating can be done at home once you have the necessary substances to use and intend to start a small business, for example, coating iron or aluminium bangles with copper. Electrolysis This unit deals with (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) Characterisation of substances as electrolytes, non electrolytes, conductors and non-conductors. Selective discharge of an ion at an electrode. Reactions at the electrodes during electrolysis. Laws of electrolysis Electrochemical cells

MAIN CONTENT AND CONCEPTS TO EMPHASISE: In dealing with this unit the teacher should have knowledge on the following: (i) electrolysis. (ii) conductors. (iii) The conditions required for electrolysis to take place such as: Source of current (direct current) Electrodes (Points at which electricity enter and leave the solution) Electrolyte (in solution or molten state). Examples of strong and weak electrolytes, non-electrolytes, conductors and nonDefinitions of strong and weak electrolytes, conductors, non-conductors and

Figure 1- Diagram showing the requirements for electrolysis (iv) The factors which affect discharge of an ion at an electrode. These include: Position of the ion in the activity series. Illustrate this factor using copper(II) sulphate Concentration of electrolytes. Illustrate this factor using dilute and concentrated with carbon electrodes or dilute sulphuric acid using platinum electrodes. hydrochloric acid, dilute and concentrated sodium chloride solutions. Caution: if you are performing the experiment take note that chlorine is poisonous. Therefore, you should avoid inhaling to much of it. In order to do so keep the windows open to ensure proper ventilation. - Nature of electrodes: This could be illustrated by using copper(II) sulphate solution with copper electrodes. (v) Reactions at the electrodes in terms of electron transfer. Explain the reactions taking place in view of the ions discharged using dilute sulphuric acid, copper(II) sulphate solution, sodium chloride solution, concentrated sodium chloride solution (brine) to establish the role of water. For example, electrolysis of copper(II) sulphate solution.

Figure 2- Electrolysis of copper(II) sulphate using graphite electrodes Sources of ions CuSO4 (aq) H2O(l) Reactions At the anode hydroxide, OH and sulphate, SO42 ions are present. Since the hydroxide ions, OH is lower in the activity series than SO42 it is preferentially selected for discharge. The equation for the reaction is: 4OH (aq) 2H2O (l) + O2(g) + 4e 2 Cu2+(aq) + SO42-(aq) H+(aq) + OH-(aq)

OH ions give up their excess electrons to the anode to form oxygen gas At the cathode hydrogen, H+ and copper(II), Cu2+ ions are present but since Cu2+ is lower in the activity series than H+ it is discharged. Copper(II) ions take up electrons to form copper metal.

Figure 3 - Movement of ions in an incomplete and complete circuit The arrows indicate the direction of movement of ions in when charged plates are placed in solution. (vi) (vii) State the Faradays laws of electrolysis and solve problems involving mass or the volume State applications of electrolysis, for example, (viii) In extraction of metals Sodium and aluminium. The first five metals in the In electroplating Purification of metals for example copper. Manufacture of sodium hydroxide and chlorine. of product.

activity series are extracted by electrolysis.

Construct and explain the working of a simple electrochemical cell. For example, the Daniel cell consisting of Zinc rod dipping in zinc(II) sulphate solution

and copper rod dipping in copper(II) sulphate solution Error: Reference source not found Figure 4- A simple Daniel Cell Procedure (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (iv) Prepare a dilute solution of sulphuric acid and fill a coulometer with it. Arrange the electrodes as shown in the diagram. Switch on the current and allow electrolysis to occur until reasonable volumes of gas are collected in the tubes. Compare the volumes of the gas formed in the tubes. Test the gases using a glowing and burning splint. Error: Reference source not found Figure 5- Electrolysis of acidified water Electrolysis of sodium chloride solution 3

Apparatus /Chemicals same as in (a) above except use sodium chloride solution instead of dilute sulphuric acid. Procedure: same as in (a) above Electrolysis of molten or fused lead(II) bromide Apparatus and chemicals: Crucible, lead(II) bromide crystals, heat source, carbon electrodes Caution: Bromine vapour is poisonous. Avoid inhaling to much of it. Keep the windows open to ensure proper ventilation. Procedure (i) (ii) (iii) Heat lead(II) bromide in a fume cupboard in hard glass test tube or crucible until it melts. Electrolyze the molten solution using carbon electrodes Note what is observed at the electrodes

Figure 6- Electrolysis of molten lead(II)bromide Electrolysis of copper(II) sulphate solution using copper electrodes Apparatus and chemicals: Copper foils as electrodes, copper(II) sulphate solution, Dry cells or car battery. Procedure (i) Prepare a solution of copper(II) sulphate solution (ii) Weigh the electrodes before electrolysis is carried out. (iii) Complete the circuit and allow electrolysis for some time (about 10 minutes). (iv) Weigh the electrodes again and then compare the masses. Comment on the masses you obtained. Definitions (a) Conductors are solid substances except mercury that allow electric current to pass through them. For example metals like copper and aluminium, and non-metal like graphite (carbon) (b) Non-conductors are solid or liquid substances that do not allow an electric current to pass through them. For example diamond (carbon), rubber/plastics, benzene, dry wood etc. 4

(c) Electrolysis Is the decomposition of an electrolyte by passage of electric current through it (d) Electrolyte Is a compound which when in solution or in molten state conducts an electric current and is decomposed by it. Strong electrolyte is one that is completely ionized when in solution or molten form. Examples include sodium chloride solution, dilute hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide solution Weak electrolyte is one that is partially ionized when in solution or molten form. Examples include ammonia solution, ethanoic acid solution and water. Non-electrolytes include sugar solution, alcohol and urea. (e) Non- electrolyte Is a compound which when it in solution or molten state does not conduct electricity. (f) Electrodes Are two pieces of metal or graphite rods by which electrons enter and or leave an electrolyte. (g) Anode is the positively charged electrode by which electrons leave the electrolyte. (h) Cathode is the negatively charged electrode by which the electrons enter the electrolyte. (i) Anion is a negatively charged ion that moves to the anode during electrolysis. (j) Cation is a positively charged ion that moves to the cathode during electrolysis. (k) Electroplating is the coating of one metal with another by the process of electrolysis. (l) Faradays laws of electrolysis The two laws are The mass of a substance liberated during electrolysis is directly proportional to the quantity of electricity passed. When the same quantity of electricity is passed through different electrolytes, the amount of the substances liberated in moles is inversely proportional to the charges on their ions. Table 1 Summary of the effects of electrolysis Electrolyte Concentrated hydrochloric acid Dilute sulphuric acid Electrodes Product at cathode Carbon or platinum Hydrogen gas Platinum (1 volume) Hydrogen gas (2 volumes) Sodium hydroxide solution Sodium chloride solution 5 Platinum Decrease of acidity Hydrogen gas (2 volumes), increase of alkalinity Platinum or carbon Hydrogen gas (volume) Product at anode Chlorine gas (1volume) Oxygen gas (1 volume) increase of acidity Oxygen gas decrease of alkalinity Chlorine gas (1 volume)

Copper(II) sulphate solution Copper(II) sulphate solution Molten lead(II) bromide

Platinum Copper Platinum

Copper deposited Copper deposited Lead metal deposited

Oxygen gas Copper dissolved Bromine gas

STUDENTS EXERCISES /QUESTIONS 545/1 Paper 1 Questions 1. Which of the following solutions is not an electrolyte? A: C: 2. 3. A: potassium chloride solution molten zinc bromide H+ B: SO42B: D: C: copper(II) sulphate crystals Dilute hydrochloric acid OHD: Na+

Which of the following ions is not present in a dilute solution of sulphuric acid? Which of the following is not true of the electrolysis of copper(II) sulphate solution using A: The mass of the anode decreases B: Copper is deposited at the cathode C: Oxygen gas is formed at the anode D: The mass of the anode increases

carbon electrodes?

4.

Which of the following pairs of electrolytes give a similar product at the anode using A: B: C: D: Dilute sulphuric acid and copper(II) sulphate solution Sodium hydroxide solution and sodium chloride solution Dilute sulphuric acid and concentrated hydrochloric acid Copper(II) sulphate solution and potassium chloride solution. Nature of electrode Position of the element in the reactivity series. Concentration of the electrolyte The nature of the crystals of the compound.

platinum as the electrodes?

5.

Which of these is not a factor that affects discharge of an ion during electrolysis? A: B: C: D:

545/2 Paper 2 Questions 6. (a) Explain why solid sodium chloride is a very poor electrical conductor while if melted, it conducts electricity readily. (b) (i) (ii) State the products of electrolysis of molten sodium chloride and give equations for Name the different products obtained when concentrated sodium chloride is reactions that occur at the electrodes. electrolyzed. Explain your answers. Include equations in your answer. 6

7.

A current of 8 amperes were passed for 80 minutes through a solution of copper(II)

sulphate using platinum electrodes. (a) State what was observed at (i) the cathode (i) the cathode (c) Calculate (i) (ii) the mass of solid deposited at cathode. the volume of the product formed at the anode at STP. (ii) the anode (ii) the anode (b) Write equation for the reaction taking place at the

(d) ANSWER TO STUDENTS QUESTIONS 1: B 2: D 3: A 4: A 5: D

6. (a) When not melted the ions of Sodium chloride are not free to move while the molten sodium chloride contains free ions which carry charge as they move. Movement of electrons results in movement of electricity. (b) (i) Molten Sodium chloride contains sodium ion and chloride ion At the cathode, Na+ ions are discharged according to the equation: Na+ (l) + e Na(s) Therefore sodium metal is formed at the cathode At the anode, chloride ions, Cl are discharge according to the equation: 2Cl (l) 2e Chlorine gas is formed at the anode (ii) In concentrated sodium chloride solution the ions are formed according to the equation: NaCl (aq) H2O (l) preferentially discharged. 2H+ (aq) + 2e H2 (g) Hydrogen gas is therefore formed at the cathode. At anode, both the chloride and hydroxide ions move there but the chloride ions, Cl are discharged because of their high concentration. 2Cl (aq) 2e 7. (a) (i) a brown solid was deposited 7 Cl2 (g) Na+ (aq) + Cl (aq) H+(aq) + OH (aq) Cl2 (g)

At the cathode both Na+ and H+ are present but H+ being lower in the reactivity series in

(ii)

A colourless gas was formed Cu(s) 2H2O(l) + O2(g) + 4e = current x time = it = 8 x 80 x 60 = 38400 coulombs

(b) (i) Cu2+(aq) + 2e (ii) 4OH (aq)

(c) (i) Quantity of electricity passed

1 mole of copper is deposited when 2 moles of electrons are involved. These 2 moles of electrons are equivalent to faradays 1 Faraday = 96500 coulombs 2 Faradays of electricity deposit 1 mole of copper 2 x 96500 coulombs of electricity deposit 1 mole of copper 38400 coulombs of electricity deposit 1 x 38400 moles of copper 2 x 96500 = 0.199 moles of copper Mass copper deposited = number of mole x atomic mass = 0.199 x 64 = 12.74g (ii) In forming 1 mole of oxygen gas, 4 moles of electrons and hence 4 Faradays of electricity are used. Number of moles of oxygen gas formed in half the number of moles of copper = Volume of oxygen = Number of moles x volume of gas at STP = 0.0995 x 22.4 dm3 = 2.23 dm3