ELECTROLYSIS

Electrolysis is the process by which ionic substances are

broken down into simpler substances using electricity. This
process requires electrodes; anodes (positive) and cathode
(negative). It also requires electrolyte; a molten or aqueous
solution for the electrons to move. When the electrodes are
attached to its terminal charges, the element in the
electrolyte will be attracted to its opposite charges.
Thereafter, the elements that are attracted to the anode will
release electron and travel to the cathode for a metal to be
deposited.
This process can be used for electroplating, hair removal
and brine.
ELECTROPLATING
Electroplating is the process of depositing or coating a layer
of metal onto a surface of an object. This process is to protect
an object from corrosion or making an object shinier. People
usually used this process for coating jewellery or rims of the
tyre.
HOW? A spoon is rusty. To make it shiny, we need to use
electroplating. For this, the spoon acts as cathode and we
need to have silver anode to the spoon with. Then, attach the
electrodes with its terminal charges. Then, we must have
electrolyte; the solution must be based upon the material
that you are electroplating with. Therefore, we use silver
nitrate (Ag+ NO3-). The ions will go to the opposite of its
charges and the process called oxidation will occur, which is
the loss of electron in the anode. Meanwhile, the ions from
the silver anode will be discharge and travel to the cathode.
The spoon will accept the process called reduction, which is
gaining electron and ions. Finally, the silver will coat the
spoon, which makes it shinier.
ELECTROLYSIS HAIR REMOVAL
To remove unwanted hair for certain areas can be also used
by electrolysis.
HOW? An electric current is applied using a very fine
needle-shaped electrodes or metal probe into each hair
follicle to destroy the hair’s root, this prevents growth and
causes existing hairs to fall out.
ELECTROLYSIS OF BRINE
Brine is a saturated solution of Sodium Chloride. We use
carbon electrodes and in the electrolyte, it consist of Na+, Cl-
, H+ and OH-. For the anode, since it’s positively charged, it
attracted the negative ions, which is Cl- and OH-. Then, the
chloride ions discharge their electrons to the anode and are
oxidise to their chlorine molecule; 2Cl- to make Cl2- +2e-.
For the cathode, since it’s negatively charged, it attracted the
positive ions, which is H+ and Na+. Each hydrogen gains an
electron to form hydrogen atom, Reduction reaction; the two
hydrogen atom bonds to make hydrogen gas: 2H+ 2e- to
make H2 (g). Therefore, both electrodes have gases formed.
Then, the ions left in the solution are OH- and Na+. They
combined to form sodium hydroxide. So in conclusion,
2NaCl (aq) + 2H20 (l) to make 2NaOH (aq) + H2 + Cl2.
These three product, chlorine gas, hydrogen gas and sodium
hydroxide are very useful.
Chlorine gas kills bacteria and are
soluble to water. We use this in the
swimming pool. It also to sterilize
water in the water supply. Bleach is
also uses chlorine which is for
cleaning. There are many more such
as building materials, dry cleaning ingredients, weed killer
and many more.
Hydrogen gas and Chlorine gas are combined to form
hydrogen chloride and it dissolve in water to form
hydrochloric acids. It can clean metal and producing chloride
salts.
Sodium Hydroxide is also use for
cleaning products. We use it for
cleaning ovens and unblocking
drains.