Chapter # 8 : Electrochemistry

Q#1 : Define the following : Electrochemistry , Electrolyte , Non-Electrolyte , Electrolytic Cell , Galvanic or
Voltaic cell , Electrolysis , Hydrolysis & electroplating.
Ans : (a) Electrochemistry :
Electrochemistry is the branch of chemistry which deals with such chemical reactions involving the
inter-conversion of electrical energy and chemical energy.
Example :
Batteries , cell , electroplating and electrolysis are just a few examples of the applications of
electrochemistry.
Electrolytes :
Chemical compounds which conducts electricity in molten state or through their aqueous solution
accompanying a chemical change are known as electrolytes.
Example :
HCl , NaOH , H2SO4 , KOH etc.
Non - Electrolytes :
Chemical compounds which do not conduct electricity in molten state or through their aqueous
solutions are known as non - electrolytes.
Example :
Sugar , Petrol , Benzene etc.
Electrochemical cell (Galvanic / Voltaic Cell)

Electrolytic cell

A Galvanic cell converts chemical energy into

electrical energy.

An electrolytic cell converts electrical

energy into chemical energy.

Here, the redox reaction is spontaneous and is

responsible for the production of electrical
energy.

The redox reaction is not spontaneous and

electrical energy has to be supplied to
initiate the reaction.

The two half-cells are set up in different

containers, being connected through the salt
bridge or porous partition.

Both the electrodes are placed in a same

container in the solution of molten
electrolyte.

The electrons are supplied by the species getting

oxidized. They move from anode to the cathode
in the external circuit.

The external battery supplies the electrons.

They enter through the cathode and come
out through the anode.

Electrolysis :
Electrolysis is the process by which ionic substances are decomposed (broken down) into simpler substances
when an electric current is passed through them.
Electrolysis involves the following two important processes :
1. Positively charged ions move to the negative electrode during electrolysis. They receive electrons
and are reduced.
2. Negatively charged ions move to the positive electrode during electrolysis. They lose electrons and
are oxidised.

Hydrolysis :
Hydrolysis is a reaction involving the breaking of a bond in a molecule using water. The reaction mainly
occurs between an ion and water molecules and often changes the pH of a solution.
In chemistry, there are three main types of hydrolysis.
(a) Salt hydrolysis.
(b) Acid hydrolysis.
(c) Base hydrolysis.
Electroplating :
Electroplating is the application of a metal coating to a metallic or other conducting surface by an
electrochemical process. Electrolysis is used to electroplate objects. This is useful for coating a cheaper
metal with a more expensive one, such as copper or silver.
Electroplating Process :

The negative electrode should be the object that is to be electroplated.

The positive electrode should be the metal that you want to coat the object with.
The electrolyte should be a solution of the coating metal, such as its metal nitrate or sulfate.

Q#2 : Define the electrolysis in molten sodium chloride.

Ans : Electrolysis of sodium chloride :
Sodium chloride does not conduct electricity in solid state. There are two ways to pass current through
salt.
a) Fuse or melt the salt.
b) Dissolve the salt & make its aqueous solution.
Electrolysis of molten sodium chloride :
Sodium is melted at 8000C to break free the molecules from crystal lattice & allow current to conduct.
Fused NaCl is taken in a electrolytic cell , two electrodes are dipped into solution & connected to the
battery terminals. When the current is passed through the solution of electrolyte the salt splits into two
parts Na+ & Cl -.
At Cathode :
Sodium metal loses electrons at cathode to become neutral molten (Na) metal.
At Anode :
Chlorine gains electrons at anode to become chlorine gas.
Equation Of Reaction :
NaCl

Na + (l) + Cl - (g)

Q#3 : Define the electrolysis of Water.

Ans : Electrolysis Of Water :
Pure water on its own hardly conducts electricity because it ionizes feebly into ions. But when few drops
of acid , base or salt is added in water it makes water to conduct electricity & water can be electrolysed
to produce hydrogen gas at cathode & oxygen gas at anode.
Reaction in electrolytic cell :

Consider an electrolytic cell containing acidulated water. Two electrodes are dipped in the acidulated
water & connected to the battery terminals. On passing the current the water ionizes as.
2H2O
H3O +
+
OH (hydronium ion)
(hydroxide ion)
Reaction at cathode :
Hydronium ions moves toward cathode where it gains electrons & liberate hydrogen gas.
Reaction at Anode :
Hydroxide ions moves toward anode where it loose electrons & liberate oxygen gas.
Equation of reaction :
2H2O

2H2

O2

Q#4 : Explain the Faradays Laws Of Electrolysis.

Ans : Faradays Laws Of Electrolysis :
In 1833 , Michael Faraday discovered the quantitative laws governing the process of electrolysis. He put
forward two laws of electrolysis.
Faradays First Law Of Electrolysis :
It states that the amount of any substance deposited or liberate at an electrode during electrolysis is
directly proportional to the quantity of current passed through the electrolyte.
Formula :
If w be the weight or amount of a substance deposited or liberated & A ampere of current is passed
for t seconds then according to law.
W Axt
or W = Z A t
Where Z is a constant also known as electro chemical equivalent.
Faradays Second Law Of Electrolysis :
It states that the masses of different substances deposited or liberated when same quantity of current
is passed through different electrolytes connected in series are proportional to their chemical equivalent
masses.
Formula :
Equivalent mass of an element = Atomic mass of the element
Valency of the element
Q#5 : Define the following : Electro chemical equivalent , Equivalent Mass , Coulomb , Ampere &
Faraday.
Ans : (a) Electro chemical equivalent (Eq):
An electrochemical equivalent (ECE) is the amount of a substance in grams produced or consumed by
the passage of one coulomb of electricity in an electrochemical reaction. A voltmeter is used to measure
the electrochemical equivalent of an element.
Formula :
Electrochemical equivalent (Eq) of an element = W
At
(b) Equivalent Mass :
Equivalent mass of a substance is expressed in grams is the mass of a substance librated when 96500
coulomb charge is passed through it.

Formula :
If e is the gram equivalent mass and Z is the E.C.E, then we can write it as:
e = 96,500 x Z
or e = F x Z
(c) Faraday :
Faraday constant, denoted by the symbol F and named after Michael Faraday, is the magnitude
of electric charge per mole of electrons.
1 F = 96500 C
(d) Ampere
It is the basic unit of current in the international system (S.I). It may be defined as the current when
passed through a circuit for one second, can liberate 0.001118 g or 1.118x 10-6 Kg of Silver (Ag) from
silver nitrate solution.
1A=1C/s
(e) Coulomb :
It is the SI unit of electric charge and is defined as the quantity of charge when one ampere of current is
passed for one second.
1 C = 1 A x 1s
Q#6 : Define the uses of electrolysis.
Ans : Uses Of Electrolysis :
(1) Extraction of metals :
Electrolysis is used to extract various metals from their ores.
(2) Electroplating :
It is used to electroplate the baser metals to protect them from corrosion & make them attractive.
(3) Purification :
Many metals are purified into pure metals by the process of electrolysis.
(4) Coating Jewellery :
It is used to coat jewellery with gold & silver which will be otherwise very expensive.
Q#7 : Define Cell & battery .
Ans : Cell :
A device which converts chemical energy into electrical energy is called a cell. It consists of a pair of
dissimilar metals in an electrolyte.
Battery :
A battery is a group or collection of two or more voltaic cells connected in series. A battery is usually
rechargeable while a cell may or may not be rechargeable. Example is car battery.
Q#8 : Describe the construction & working of a dry cell ( primary cell ).
Ans : Dry Cell :
A primary voltaic cell in which the electrolyte is a paste in known as a dry cell. A chemical reaction
within the battery creates an electrical charge that flows from inside to an outer circuit that is
connected to an electrical device.

Construction :
Dry cell batteries, regardless of their size,
typically have the same basic components. At the
center of each is a rod called a cathode, which is
often made of carbon & surrounded by an
electrolyte paste. Different chemicals can be used
to create this paste, such as ammonium chloride
& manganese dioxide, depending on the type of
battery. The cathode & electrolyte paste are
wrapped in paper or cardboard & sealed into a
metal cylinder called an anode, which is typically
made of zinc.
Working :
When zinc & graphite electrodes are connected by a metallic wire Zn gets oxidized to form Zn2+ ions
which pass into the wet paste leaving behind electrons on the Zn container & the electrons move from
Zn electrode to carbon electrode through the external circuit.
Q#9 : Describe the construction & working of a Lead storage battery.
Ans : Lead Storage Battery :
Lead storage battery is used in automobiles. It is a secondary battery & is a reversible cell which can be
restored to it original condition. The battery could be used through repeated cycles of discharging &
recharging.
Construction :
In lead storage battery anodes are the lead alloy & cathodes are made up of red lead dioxide(PbO2).
The electrolyte is dilute sulphuric acid having concentration.
Working :
Text book page 136 last paragraph complete with diagram.
Q#10 : Describe nickel plating & chrome plating
Ans : Text book page 130 - 131
Chapter No 8 Test Questions :
Q#1 : Define the following : Electrochemistry , Electrolyte , Non-Electrolyte , Electrolytic Cell , Galvanic or
Voltaic cell , Electrolysis & electroplating.
Q#2 : Define the electrolysis in molten sodium chloride.
Q#3 : Define the electrolysis of Water.
Q#4 : Explain the Faradays Laws Of Electrolysis.
Q#5 : Define the following : Electro chemical equivalent , Coulomb , Ampere & Faraday.
Q#6 : Define the uses of electrolysis.
Q#7 : Define Cell & battery .
Q#8 : Describe the construction & working of a dry cell ( primary cell ).
Q#9 : Describe the construction & working of a Lead storage battery.
Q#10 : Describe nickel plating & chrome plating
Activity:
1. Solve objectives and MCQs in book.
2. Solve book exercise questions and numericals.