GCSE Chemistry Revision "Introducing Electrolysis"

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Ionic compounds conduct electricity when molten or dissolved, as the ions can move freely. Electrolysis of molten ionic compounds, like lead bromide, involves reduction reactions at the cathode and oxidation reactions at the anode, facilitated by two electrodes connected to a power pack.

Insights

  • When ionic compounds are molten or dissolved in water, they can conduct electricity because the ions are free to move, unlike in their solid state where they are held in place by strong electrostatic forces.
  • Electrolysis of molten ionic compounds like lead bromide involves the movement of positive lead ions to the cathode where they gain electrons to form lead atoms, and negative bromide ions to the anode where they lose electrons to form bromine atoms, demonstrating reduction and oxidation reactions respectively.

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Recent questions

  • How do ionic compounds conduct electricity?

    Ionic compounds conduct electricity when molten or dissolved in water because the ions are free to move.

  • What happens during electrolysis of molten lead bromide?

    During electrolysis of molten lead bromide, positive lead ions are attracted to the cathode, gaining electrons to form lead atoms, while negative bromide ions are attracted to the anode, losing electrons to form bromine atoms.

  • What are the electrodes made of in electrolysis?

    Electrodes in electrolysis are made of conducting materials like graphite or metal.

  • Why are ions in solid ionic compounds unable to conduct electricity?

    Ions in solid ionic compounds cannot conduct electricity because they are locked in place by strong electrostatic forces of attraction.

  • What is the purpose of a power pack in electrolysis?

    A power pack is used in electrolysis to facilitate the movement of ions in molten or dissolved ionic compounds, allowing for the conduction of electricity.

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Summary

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Ionic compounds conduct electricity through electrolysis.

  • Ionic compounds can conduct electricity when molten or dissolved in water due to the ions being free to move, unlike in solid form where they are locked in place by strong electrostatic forces of attraction.
  • During electrolysis of molten ionic compounds like lead bromide, the positive lead ions are attracted to the negative electrode (cathode) where they gain electrons to form lead atoms in a reduction reaction, while the negative bromide ions are attracted to the positive electrode (anode) where they lose electrons to form bromine atoms in an oxidation reaction.
  • Electrolysis involves two electrodes, the cathode and anode, made of conducting materials like graphite or metal, connected to a power pack to facilitate the movement of ions in molten or dissolved ionic compounds, allowing for the conduction of electricity.
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