Introduction to electrolysis

Chemistry tuition classes in Miracle Learning Centre is easy to understand and help you in the chemistry tuition application questions. If you do not understand chemistry in school, you must definitely come for chemistry tuition classes at Miracle Learning Centre. Let us learn about electrolysis in this chemistry tuition lesson.

Electrolysis is the conduction of electricity in a molten or aqueous ionic compound leading to its decomposition. Electrolysis makes use of a dc (direct current) current to break down the molten or aqueous ionic compound into its elements and other products. The anode refers to the positive electrode and the cathode refers to the negative electrode. This can be easily remembered because an anion which is a negative ion is attracted to the anode which is the positive electrode. On the other hand, the cation which is a positive ion is attracted to the cathode which is the negative electrode. Some things we need to know about the electrode is that electrodes made of platinum or graphite are called inert electrodes which means they do not take part in the reaction. Electrodes which is mainly the anodes made up of copper, silver or gold, usually takes part in the reaction. At the electrodes, a redox reaction will occur. At the anode, oxidation occurs. At the cathode, reduction occurs.

The student at Miracle Learning Centre asks, “Why do we need to learn about electrolysis?” Mrs Lew, chemistry teacher at Miracle Learning Centre replied, “Electrolysis helps us to break down water into its components which are hydrogen and oxygen. Electrolysis also help us to obtain pure reactive metals. For example, pure reactive metals, like sodium, cannot be obtained by reduction with carbon. Pure reactive metals can only be obtained by electrolysis of the molten compound. For example, to obtain pure sodium, we have to carry out electrolysis of molten sodium chloride. We will not be able to obtain molten sodium chloride by reacting sodium oxide with carbon or by electrolysing aqueous sodium chloride. Hence electrolysis plays an important part in our life and in the chemical industry. Unlike sodium, iron can be obtained by reduction of iron(III) oxide with carbon.”

Miracle Learning Centre aims to educate students about electrolysis. Do come to Miracle Learning Centre for more chemistry tuition lessons to learn more about electrolysis.

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