Electrolysis

Lorenzo Montes*, Aegar Toffen Hans Marzo, Mark Andrew Mendoza

Department of Chemistry, University of Santo Tomas Espana Manila
Group 10

Abstract
Electrical energy was passed through the Potassium iodide solution and Sodium sulfate
solution. The anode end of the Sodium sulfate solution became blue and the cathode end
became yellow. The anode end of the Potassium iodide became dark pink and the cathode end
became light pink. At the cathode hydrogen ions are being removed. At the anode hydroxyl ions
are being removed.

Introduction
Electrolysis or electro-chemical action is the decomposition of liquids by means
of electric currents. The fundamental basis of electrolysis is the fact, that when a current
is of electricity passes through a suitable liquid the liquid is decomposed. The only
essential conditions necessary are that the substance be a liquid, a definite chemical
compound, and a conductor of electricity. Liquid alloys, such as that of sodium and
potassium, tin and mercury, are not decomposed by the current, and liquid compounds
of two non-metallic elements, such as bisulfide of carbon, chloride of Sulphur, are also
not usually capable of electrolysis. Electrolysis is commonly distinguished from ordinary
chemical action by not taking place with non-conducting substances[1].

Electrolysis, process by which electric current is passed through a substance to effect a

chemical change. The chemical change is one in which the substance loses or gains an
electron (oxidation or reduction). The process is carried out in an electrolytic cell, an
apparatus consisting of positive and negative electrodes held apart and dipped into a
solution containing positively and negatively charged ions. The substance to be
transformed may form the electrode, may constitute the solution, or may be dissolved in
the solution. Electric current (i.e., electrons) enters through the negatively charged
electrode (cathode); positively charged components of the solution travel to this
electrode, combine with the electrons, and are transformed to neutral elements or
molecules. The negatively charged components of the solution travel to the other
electrode (anode), give up their electrons, and are transformed into neutral elements or
molecules. If the substance to be transformed is the electrode, the reaction is generally
one in which the electrode dissolves by giving up electrons[2].

Electrolysis is used extensively in metallurgical processes, such as in extraction

(electrowinning) or purification (electrorefining) of metals from ores or compounds and
in deposition of metals from solution (electroplating). Metallic sodium and chlorine gas
are produced by the electrolysis of molten sodium chloride; electrolysis of an aqueous
solution of sodium chloride yields sodium hydroxide and chlorine gas. Hydrogen and
oxygen are produced by the electrolysis of water[3].

The experiment will allow the observation in which electrical energy is used to produce
a chemical change in the cell. The experiment will allow the presence of a redox
reaction where sufficient ions are present in a solution.

Experimental

A. Materials

The materials that was used were bottle caps, 0.1M Potassium iodide solution,
0.1M Sodium sulfate solution, bromothymol blue indicator, phenolphthalein
indicator, mechanical pencil leads (carbon rods), alligator clips and 9 volts
battery.

B. Procedure

a. Electrolysis of Sodium sulfate solution

Several drops of bromothymol blue indicator was added to the sodium sulfate
solution enough to impart a definite color to the solution. 1mL of this solution
was placed around in two adjacent wells. The two portions was connected in
separate wells through a filter paper strip soaked in the same solution. One
carbon rod was immersed in each well. The carbon electrodes was attached
 to the terminals of a 9 volts battery and the changes was observed that has
taken place in each well. The polarity of the terminals was noted in each well.

b. Electrolysis of Potassium iodide solution

8 drops of phenolphthalein was added to a 0.1M solution of Potassium iodide.

1mL of this solution was placed around in two adjacent wells. Two portions
was connected in separate well through a filter paper strip soaked in the
same solution. One carbon rod was immersed in each well. The carbon
electrodes was attached to the terminals of a 9 volts battery and the changes
was observed that has taken place in each well. The polarity of the terminals
was noted in each well.

Results and discussion

SYSTEM Anode(-) Cathode(+)

Sodium Sulfate Blue Yellow

Potassium iodide Dark pink Light pink

The anode end of the of the sodium sulfate solution became blue and the
cathode end became yellow. In a bromothymol blue indicator blue means the solution is
acidic and yellow is basic.

At the anode, hydroxyl ions are being removed, so leaving an excess of

hydrogen ions which makes the solution acidic.

2H2O O2 + 4H(+) + 4e(-)

At the cathode, hydrogen ions are being removed from the solution, thereby
leaving an excess of hydroxyl ions which makes the solution alkaline.

4H2O + 4e(-) 2H2 + 4OH(-)

 (Electrolysis of Sodium sulfate solution)

Similar to the bromothymol blue indicator, the phenolphthalein indicator also

gives a distinction between an acid and a base. In the previous experiments, light pink
or faint pink means the solution is basic and dark pink if its an acid.

The cathode end of the Potassium iodide solution became light pink and the
anode end became dark pink.

Cathode: 2H2O + 2 e 2OH + H2

The hydroxyl ions are more dominant therefore gives a basic solution.

Anode: 2I I2 + 2e

An increase in the amount of iodine gives an acidic solution.

 (Electrolysis of Potassium iodide solution)

References
[1] Gore, G. Electrolytic Separation: Recovery & Refining of Metals, Wexford College
Press, 2003.

[2] Uno Kask General Chemistry, WM.C. Brown Publishers, Oxford, England, 1993.

[3] King-Caldwell College Chemistry, 5 th edition, American Books Company,

Philippines, 1967.