Electrochemistry

Chemistry - 5070
Electrochemistry
In this topic, you will learn:
Some electrical devices and circuit symbols Conductors and Non-con
ductors Electrolytes, Weak-electrolytes and Non-electrolytes Electrolysis Factor
s effecting electrolysis Industrial applications of electrolysis Dr y cells
Muhammad Hassan Nadeem
Electrical Devices and Circuit Symbols
Cell is source of electricity. Battery is a collection
of cells. Switch is used to stop the flow of current. Bulb is used to register
whether current is flowing. Voltmeter is used to measure current. Ammeter is use
d to measure current. Resistor ensures that a suitable amount of current is flow
ing. Variable resistor is resistor those rating can be changed. Electrodes are p
lates which carry electricity into the liquid. Cathode is the electrode connecte
d to the negative terminal of the battery. Anode is the electrode connected to t
he positive terminal of the battery. Cation are positively charged ion that trav
els to the cathode during the electrolysis. Anion are negatively charged ion tha
t travels to the anode during the electrolysis.
Electrical Device Cell
Circuit Symbol
Battery Bulb Switch Ammeter Voltmeter
Resistor
Variable resistor (rheostat)
Conductors and Non-Conductors
Conductors
A conductor is a substance which conducts electricity but is not chemicall
y changed during the conduction. Conductors have free moving valence electrons w
hich conducts electricity. All metals and graphite are conductors
Non-conductors
A non-conductor is a substance which does not allow the passage of electri
city. Non-conductors do not have free valance electrons and thus do not conduct
electricity. All non-metals except graphite are non-conductors.
Electrolytes, Weak-electrolyte and Non-electrolyte
Electrolytes
Electrolytes are compounds which when molten or dissolved in water conduct
electricity. All acids, alkalis and salts are electrolytes. They conduct electr
icity by the movement of ions between electrodes.
Weak-electrolyte
Weak acids and weak alkalis are classified as weak-electrolytes. They contai
n only few ions.
Non-Electrolyte
Non-electrolyte is a liquid which does not allow the passage of electricity.
Distilled water, alcohol, turpentine, oil, paraffin and other organic solvents
are examples of nonelectrolytes. Weak electrolytes Limewater Ammonia solution Aq
ueous ethanoic acid Aqueous sulphurous acid Aqueous carbonic acid Non-electrolyt
es Ethanol Tetra chloromethane Tri chloromethane Pure water Sugar solution Molte
n sulphur
Strong electrolytes Aqueous sulphuric acid Aqueous nitric acid Aqueous hydrochlo
ric acid Aqueous potassium hydroxide Aqueous sodium hydroxide Copper(II) sulphat
e solution
Electrolysis
The process of decomposing a compound by passage of an electric current is cal
led electrolysis.
When electricity is passed through electrolyte, anions start moving towards anod
e and cations towards cathode. Anions are usually non-metal ion for example Cl-,
Br- and O2-. Cations are usually metal ion for example Ag+, Cu+2 and Pb+2. When
anion reach anode they lose their electron to anode, which is ready to gain ele
ctron due to positive charge. When cation reach cathode they gain electron from
cathode, which is ready to donate electron due to negative charge.
Factors Affecting Electrolysis
Position of ion in reactivity series
More reactive ion undergoes discharge.
Cations K+ Na+ Ca2+ Mg2+ Zn2+ Fe2+ Pb2+ H+ Cu2+ Ag+
Anions
SO42NO3ClBrIOH-
Difficulty of discharge decreases
Concentration
If the concentration of particular ion is high, then this can alter the pref
erential discharge. Concentrated ion will be discharged.
Type of electrode
Type of electrode used can affect the electrolysis. Carbon electrodes are in
ert electrodes and do not effect electrolysis.
Electrolysis of concentrated Sodium Chloride solution
Ions present in the solution
Anions present in solution are OH- (from water) and Cl- (from salt). Cations
present in solution are H+ (from water) and Na+ (from salt).
Reaction
Anode Chloride and hydroxide ions migrate towards anode. Chloride ions are d
ischarged as the concentration of chloride ion is higher. 2 chloride ions lose
2 electrons to form chlorine gas. 2 − → 2 − + 2 Cathode Sodium and
hydrogen ion travel towards cathode. Hydrogen ion is discharged as sodium is t
oo high up in the reactivity series. 2 hydrogen ions gains 2 electrons to form
hydrogen gas. 2 + + 2 − → 2
Electrolysis of dilute sulphuric acid
Ions present in the solution
Anions present in solution are OH (from water) and SO4 2 (from acid). Catio
n present in solution is H+ from both water and acid.
Reaction
Anode Hydroxide and sulphate ion migrate towards anode. Hydroxide ion is pre
ferentially discharged as it is at the bottom of the reactivity series. Hydrox
ide ion loses 1 electron to form oxygengas which bubbles out and water which sta
ys in the solution. 4 − → 2 2 + 2 + 4 − Cathode Hydrogen ion is dis
charged as it is only cation present.
2 hydrogen ions gains 2 electrons to form hydrogen gas. 2 + + 2 − → 2
Industrial Applications of Electrolysis
Purification of metals
Impure copper is made anode. Pure copper is made cathode. Electrolyte
is acidified copper (II) sulphate. When electricity flows copper dissolves from
impure anode and goes into solution as copper ions. Impurities do not dissolve,
and instead fall off the anode as anode sludge. At cathode, the copper ions are
deposited as pure copper metal.
At anode → +2 + 2 − At cathode +2 + 2 − →
Electroplating
Electroplating is a process of forming thin protective coating of a
metal on the surface of another which is likely to corrode. Object to be plated
is made cathode. (Spoon) Anode is made of the metal we wish to plate with. (Silv
er Ag) Electrolyte is the solution of salt of the metal. (Silver Nitrate AgNO3)
Anode: → +2 + 2 − (Silver dissolves from anode) Cathode: 2+ + 2
− → (Silver deposits on the object)
Some commonly Electroplated Objects Metal Object Zinc Dustbins, buckets Chromium
Car bumpers, bicycle handle bars Silver Watches, bracelets Copper Saucepans Nic
kel Cutlery Gold Jewellery, watches
Electrical Cell
A simple cell is a device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy
. Each simple cell consists of: 2 electrodes of 2 different metals An electrolyt
e solution containing an acid or an aqueous salt As more reactive metal tends to
undergo oxidation more easily, and naturally becomes the negative terminal by l
osing electrons, which then travel via the external circuit to other metal elect
rode. The less reactive metal becomes the positive terminal, as it has a weaker
tendency to lose electrons. The voltage of the cell depends on the position of t
he metal in the reactivity series. The far two metals are in the reactivity seri
es more is the voltage.

Reactivity
Magnesium Aluminum Zinc Iron Tin Lead Copper Silver
Reactivity decreases
Dry cell
In dry cell electrolyte is a paste. Carbon electrode is positive termina
l. Zinc electrode is negative terminal. Ammonium chloride is used as electrolyte
.
Credits: Muhammad Hassan Nadeem d.cool.guy@hotmail.com