Worksheet - ELECTROLYSIS

A4 Only liquids that contain moving ions can be electrolysed. These liquids are called electrolytes.

(a) Complete the following table which shows the products formed when some liquids are
electrolysed using inert graphite electrodes.

product formed product formed

ions present in
electrolyte at the positive at the negative
electrolyte
electrode electrode
aqueous copper(II) Cu2+, H+, OH–
sulfate and SO42– ................................ ................................
concentrated aqueous H+, Na+, Cl –
chlorine hydrogen
sodium chloride and OH–

molten lead(II) bromide Pb2+ and Br– ................................ ................................

[3]

(b) When concentrated aqueous sodium chloride is electrolysed, chlorine is formed at the positive
electrode (anode) and hydrogen at the negative electrode (cathode).

(i) Construct the ionic equation to show the formation of chlorine at the positive electrode.

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(ii) Explain why hydrogen is formed at the negative electrode rather than sodium.

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(c) Name a metal manufactured by the electrolysis of a molten ionic compound.

...............................................................................................................................................[1]

[Total: 6]

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B8 The NASA space shuttle uses fuel cells to generate electricity. The diagram below shows a
hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell.

external circuit

hydrogen in oxygen in

Na+ (aq)
electrolyte

negative electrode OH– (aq) positive electrode

water

At the positive electrode, oxygen reacts with water as shown.

O2(g) + 2H2O(l) + 4e– → 4OH–(aq)

At the negative electrode, hydrogen reacts with hydroxide ions as shown.

H2(g) + 2OH–(aq) → 2H2O(l) + 2e–

The overall reaction in the fuel cell is the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to make water.

(a) Give one source for hydrogen and one source for oxygen for use in a fuel cell. [2]

(b) What is the name of the electrolyte used in the fuel cell? [1]

(c) What type of reaction takes place, reduction or oxidation, at the positive electrode? Explain
your answer. [1]

(d) A fuel cell uses 240 dm3 of hydrogen. Calculate the volume of oxygen needed, and the mass
of water formed. All gas volumes measured at room temperature and pressure. [3]

(e) Describe some advantages and disadvantages of using a fuel cell to generate electricity. [3]

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For
Examiner’s
Use
10 A constant current was passed through aqueous copper(II) sulphate using inert electrodes
as shown in the diagram below. Copper was deposited at one of the electrodes.

A
variable
resistor
+ –

D E
aqueous
copper(II) sulphate

(a) Name a suitable material for the inert electrodes.

........................ [1]

(b) At which electrode was copper deposited, D or E?

........................ [1]

(c) What was seen at the other electrode?

......................................................................................................................................[1]

The electrode at which copper was deposited was removed at intervals, washed, dried and
weighed. The results are shown in the table below.

time / mins mass of cathode / g total increase in

mass / g

0 7.55 0.00

10 8.00 0.45

20 8.45 0.90

30 8.90

40 9.35

50 9.80

60 9.80

(d) (i) Complete the table by calculating the total increase in mass after each 10 minute
interval. [2]

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 Worksheet - ELECTROLYSIS
For
Examiner’s
Use
(ii) Plot a graph of the data given in the table.

3.0

2.5

2.0

total
increase in 1.5
mass / g

1.0

0.5

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
time / min [3]

(iii) How long did it take for 1.60 g of copper to be deposited?

...................... minutes [1]

(iv) Suggest why the last two readings were the same.

...............................................................................................................................[1]

(e) What was the colour of the electrolyte

(i) at the start of the experiment,

...................................................................................................................................

(ii) at the end of the experiment?

...................................................................................................................................
[2]

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10 Which substance, when molten, conducts electricity?

A bitumen
B caesium iodide
C diamond
D sand

13 Dilute sulfuric acid is electrolysed between inert electrodes.

Which statements are correct?

1 Hydrogen is released at the negative electrode.

2 Oxygen is released at the positive electrode.
3 Sulfur dioxide is released at the positive electrode.
4 The acid becomes more concentrated.

A 1, 2 and 4 B 1 and 2 only C 2 and 3 D 3 and 4

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14 Concentrated aqueous calcium iodide undergoes electrolysis in a similar way to concentrated

aqueous sodium chloride.

+ –

positive electrode negative electrode

graphite

concentrated aqueous
calcium iodide

What would be formed at each electrode?

product at product at
positive electrode negative electrode

A iodine calcium
B iodine hydrogen
C oxygen calcium
D oxygen hydrogen

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15 Aluminium is obtained by the electrolysis of molten aluminium oxide.

waste gases

electrodes

electrode

molten purified aluminium oxide

aluminium dissolved in molten cryolite

Which row shows the electrode at which aluminium is formed and the correct equation for its
formation?

electrode equation

A anode Al 3+ + 3e– → Al
B anode Al 3+ – 3e– → Al
C cathode Al 3+ + 3e– → Al
D cathode Al 3+ – 3e– → Al

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11 Dilute sulfuric acid is electrolysed between inert electrodes.

Which statements are correct?

1 Hydrogen is released at the negative electrode.

2 Oxygen is released at the positive electrode.
3 Sulfur dioxide is released at the positive electrode.
4 The acid becomes more concentrated.

A 1, 2 and 4 B 1 and 2 only C 2 and 3 D 3 and 4

12 Caesium, Cs, is in the same group of the Periodic Table as sodium.

Which products are obtained from the electrolysis of concentrated aqueous caesium chloride?

product at negative
solution remaining
electrode

A caesium hydrochloric acid

B chlorine caesium hydroxide
C hydrogen caesium hydroxide
D hydrogen hydrochloric acid

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6

13 The diagrams show the apparatus for the electrolysis of aqueous copper(II) sulfate.

In experiment X both electrodes are inert. In experiment Y both electrodes are made of copper.

+ – + –

electrode 1 electrode 2 electrode 3 electrode 4

(inert) (inert) (copper) (copper)

aqueous aqueous
copper(II) sulfate copper(II) sulfate

X Y

On which electrodes is solid metal deposited?

A 1 and 2 B 1 and 3 C 2 and 4 D 3 and 4

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 Worksheet - ELECTROLYSIS

A4 Calcium chloride, CaCl2, is an ionic compound.

(a) State the electronic configuration for each of the ions in calcium chloride.

calcium ion ................................................................................................................................

chloride ion ...............................................................................................................................

[2]

(b) When molten calcium chloride is electrolysed, calcium and chlorine are formed.

Construct equations for the two electrode reactions.

reaction at the negative electrode

...................................................................................................................................................

reaction at the positive electrode

...................................................................................................................................................
[2]

(c) Predict the products of the electrolysis of concentrated aqueous calcium chloride.

...............................................................................................................................................[1]

(d) Explain, using ideas about structure and bonding, why calcium chloride has a high melting
point.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[2]

[Total: 7]

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A4 Sodium oxide, Na2O, is an ionic compound.

(a) State the electronic configuration for each of the ions in sodium oxide.

sodium ion ................................................................................................................................

oxide ion ...................................................................................................................................

[2]

(b) When molten sodium oxide is electrolysed, sodium and oxygen are formed.

Construct equations for the two electrode reactions.

reaction at the negative electrode

...................................................................................................................................................

reaction at the positive electrode

...................................................................................................................................................
[2]

(c) Explain how molten sodium oxide conducts electricity.

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[1]

(d) Sodium oxide reacts with water to give sodium hydroxide.

Construct the equation for this reaction.

...............................................................................................................................................[1]

[Total: 6]

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 Worksheet - ELECTROLYSIS

For
A5 A student electrolysed an aqueous solution of potassium bromide using carbon electrodes. Examiner’s
Use

(a) Draw a labelled diagram of a suitable apparatus that can be used for this electrolysis.

[2]

(b) The ions present in an aqueous solution of potassium bromide are H+, OH-, K+ and Br -.

(i) Describe what you would observe in the region of the anode during the
electrolysis.

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

(ii) At the cathode, hydrogen gas is given off.

Describe a test for hydrogen.

test ...........................................................................................................................

result .................................................................................................................... [2]

(iii) Write an equation for the reaction at the cathode.

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

(iv) Explain why potassium is not discharged at the cathode.

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [1]
[Total: 7]

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 Worksheet - ELECTROLYSIS

B7 Zinc chloride is an ionic solid. It can be electrolysed using the apparatus shown below. For
Examiner’s
Use
graphite graphite
anode cathode

zinc chloride

heat

(a) Explain why zinc chloride conducts electricity when molten, but not when solid.

..........................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) Predict the products of this electrolysis at

the anode, ........................................................................................................................

the cathode. ................................................................................................................. [1]

(c) When a dilute aqueous solution of zinc chloride is electrolysed, hydroxide ions are
converted to oxygen at the anode.
Write the ionic equation for this reaction.

[2]

(d) Describe a positive test for zinc ions.

test ...................................................................................................................................

observations ....................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................... [3]

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(d) Dilute sulfuric acid can be electrolysed using graphite electrodes.

oxygen hydrogen

dilute
sulfuric
acid

graphite electrodes

+ –

(i) Graphite is a good electrical conductor.

Explain why graphite conducts electricity.

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(ii) Give another property of graphite that makes it useful as an electrode in this electrolysis.

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(e) During the electrolysis of dilute sulfuric acid, oxygen is released at the anode (positive
electrode) and hydrogen is released at the cathode (negative electrode).

(i) Complete the equation for the reaction at the anode.

4OH– O2 + ........... + ........... [1]

(ii) Construct the equation for the reaction at the cathode.

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(iii) Explain why the volume of hydrogen produced is approximately double that of the oxygen.

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

[Total: 10]
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 Worksheet - ELECTROLYSIS

5 In which of the following circuits would the bulb light?

bulb bulb

carbon
electrodes
solid aqueous
lead(II) ethanol
bromide
(a) (b)

bulb bulb

carbon
electrodes
aqueous solid
copper(II) sulfur
sulfate
(c) (d)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

[Total: 1]

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2 The apparatus shown is used to electrolyse dilute sulfuric acid.

carbon anode carbon cathode

dilute
sulfuric acid

+ –

(a) Name the gas that collects at the anode. Give a test and observation to identify this gas.

name of gas ..............................................................................................................................

test and observation .................................................................................................................

[2]

(b) Name the gas that collects at the cathode. Give a test and observation to identify this gas.

name of gas ..............................................................................................................................

test and observation .................................................................................................................

[2]

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Worksheet - ELECTROLYSIS

(c) The student does three more experiments with different electrolytes, using the apparatus
shown.

+ –

carbon anode carbon cathode

electrolyte

Complete the table.

electrolyte name of product observations at name of product observations at

at the anode the anode at the cathode the cathode

concentrated
black solid bubbles of
aqueous sodium
/ brown solution colourless gas
iodide
concentrated
aqueous bubbles of
pink solid
copper(II) colourless gas
sulfate
concentrated
aqueous sodium chlorine hydrogen
chloride
[6]

[Total: 10]

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 Worksheet - ELECTROLYSIS

A2 Copper(II) sulfate is an ionic compound.

(a) Describe the arrangement of the ions and the type of attractive forces between the ions in
solid copper(II) sulfate.

arrangement .............................................................................................................................

type of attractive forces ............................................................................................................

[2]

(b) Explain why solid copper(II) sulfate does not conduct electricity but aqueous
copper(II) sulfate does conduct.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[2]

(c) When aqueous copper(II) sulfate is electrolysed using platinum electrodes, copper(II) ions
are reduced to copper at the negative electrode. Oxygen is formed at the positive electrode
by loss of electrons from hydroxide ions.

(i) State the source of the hydroxide ions.

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(ii) Complete the equation for the reaction at the positive electrode.

.... OH– O2 + .... H2O + ............ [1]

(iii) Suggest why hydroxide ions and not sulfate ions are discharged at the positive electrode.

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(d) (i) Give the formulae of the four ions present in aqueous copper(II) sulfate.

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(ii) Suggest why the solution becomes acidic as the electrolysis proceeds.

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[2]

(iii) Suggest why the blue colour of the aqueous copper(II) sulfate fades as the electrolysis
proceeds.

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

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A2 Sodium chloride, NaCl, and magnesium chloride, MgCl2, are both ionic compounds.

(a) Describe the arrangement of the ions and the type of attractive forces between the ions in
solid magnesium chloride.

arrangement .............................................................................................................................

type of attractive forces ............................................................................................................

[2]

(b) Explain why solid magnesium chloride does not conduct electricity but aqueous
magnesium chloride does conduct.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[2]

(c) State the electronic configuration of a magnesium ion and of a chloride ion.

magnesium ion .........................................................................................................................

chloride ion ...............................................................................................................................

[2]

(d) Chlorine and hydrogen are manufactured by the electrolysis of concentrated aqueous
sodium chloride.

Chlorine is released at the positive electrode and hydrogen is released at the negative
electrode.

(i) Why are hydrogen ions and not sodium ions discharged at the negative electrode?

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(ii) Construct the equation for the reaction at the negative electrode.

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(iii) Describe a test for chlorine.

test ....................................................................................................................................

result .................................................................................................................................
[2]

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(e) (i) Give the formulae of the four ions present in aqueous sodium chloride.

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(ii) Suggest why the solution becomes alkaline as the electrolysis proceeds.

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[2]

[Total: 13]

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 Worksheet - ELECTROLYSIS

1 The apparatus shown is used to electrolyse dilute hydrochloric acid.

carbon anode carbon cathode

dilute
hydrochloric
acid

+ –

(a) Name the gas given off at the carbon anode. Give a test and observation to identify this gas.

name of gas ..............................................................................................................................

test and observation .................................................................................................................

[2]

(b) Name the gas given off at the carbon cathode. Give a test and observation to identify this
gas.

name of gas ..............................................................................................................................

test and observation .................................................................................................................

[2]

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(c) The electrolyte, dilute hydrochloric acid, is replaced by another dilute acid. The gas given off
at the carbon cathode is unchanged. At the carbon anode bubbles of another gas are seen.

(i) Suggest the name of the replacement electrolyte.

...................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Name the gas given off at the carbon anode using the replacement electrolyte. Give a
test and observation to identify this gas.

name .................................................................................................................................

test ....................................................................................................................................

observation ........................................................................................................................
[2]

[Total: 7]

2 Fullerenes are solid forms of carbon. Fullerenes are found in soot. Soot also contains other forms
of carbon. Fullerenes are soluble in liquid hydrocarbons such as heptane. The other forms of
carbon in soot are insoluble in heptane.

Describe how you could obtain a pure sample of solid fullerene from soot. You should explain
what occurs at each stage of the process.

You are provided with all common laboratory apparatus.

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................... [4]

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 Worksheet - ELECTROLYSIS

1 A student carries out experiments using two different electrolytes in the apparatus shown.

+ –

carbon anode carbon cathode

electrolyte

(a) Complete the table.

electrolyte name of product observations name of product observations

at the anode at the anode at the cathode at the cathode
concentrated bubbles of
aqueous sodium colourless gas
chloride
oxygen copper

[6]

(b) Give a test and observation to identify oxygen gas.

.............................................................................................................................................. [1]

[Total: 7]

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