Supplementary notes on electrochemistry

CHEM1004 Chapter 3

Dr Jason Chan
Department of Chemistry
 Cathode or Anode?
+ /─?
Electrolysis Cell Electrochemical Cell

We break down a compound by electricity We generate electricity by a chemical redox reaction

ANODE (+) CATHODE (─) ANODE (─) CATHODE (+)

 Definition of Cathode & Anode

ANODE
The site of OXIDATION

CATHODE
The site of REDUCTION
 Electrolysis Cell

loss of electrons gain of electrons

Cl-  ½ Cl2 + 2 e- ANODE (+) CATHODE (─) Na+ + e-  Na
oxidation
numbers -1 0 +1 0

Oxidation Reduction
In the ‘Electrolysis’ slide of Chapter 3:

1. Electrodes
 Cathode: negative electrode This description
(the inert cathode gives out electrons to cations) only applies to electrolysis
The cations gains electrons at the cathode. (using inert electrodes)
 Anode: positive electrode NOT to chemical cells.
(the inert electrode takes in electrons from anions)
The anions loses electrons at the anode.
 Electrochemical Cell

loss of electrons gain of electrons

Zn  Zn2+ + 2 e- ANODE (─) CATHODE (+) Cu2+ + 2 e-  Cu
0 2+ +2 0

Oxidation Reduction

Here the electrons are given out at the Anode

and taken in at the Cathode.
(opposite to electrolysis)
 Electrochemical Cell

This includes batteries.

Alkaline Batteries

Cathode (+) is a gel of MnO2 & Anode (─) is a made of

potassium hydroxide(alkali). compacted zinc metal powder.
 Summary

Chemical Term Definition Electrolysis Chemical Cells

ANODE Site of oxidation (+) electrode (─) electrode

CATHODE Site of reduction (─) electrode (+) electrode

Anions Negative ions (─) ions (─) ions

Cations Positive ions (+) ions (+) ions

Reduction When a species At the cathode (─) At the cathode (+)

GAINS e-
Oxidation When a species At the anode (+) At the anode (─)
LOSES e-

More details in Chapter 8 (Redox reactions)