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ELECTROCHEMISTRY
(a) Electrolyte and non-electrolyte (b) Electrolysis of molten compound
What is electrochemistry?
Metal atoms and non metal atoms can combine to form ionic compounds. However, the reaction is not reversible, that is, compounds cannot change back to the original elements which formed them. Did you know that electric current flowing through an ionic compounds in molten form can break down the compound into the elements? In this chapter, you will learn electrochemistry, that is, using electric current to produce chemical changes in compound.
Electrolyte
Substances that can conduct electricity when they are in molten state or aqueous solutions and undergo chemical changes. This is due to the presence of free moving ions in the electrolyte.
Electrolytes
An electrolyte can break down into elements at electrodes when an electric current flows through it. Examples of electrolytes are: (a) molten of ionic compounds such as molten aluminium oxide, Al2O3, molten lead(ll) bromide, PbBr2, (b) aqueous solution of ionic compound such as Sodium hydroxide solution, NaOH. (c) aqueous solutions of acid or alkali such as hydrochloric acid,HCl, and ammonia solution, NH3.
Non-electrolytes
A non-electrolytes are substances that cannot conduct electricity either in molten state or aqueous solution. There will be no change on a nonelectrolytes when an electric current flows through it.
Non-electrolyte
Non-electrolytes are made from molecules only. There are no freely moving ions which can carry electrical charges in nonelectrolytes. Examples of non-electrolytes are molten covalent compounds such as sugar, sulphur, benzene, alcohol, naphthalene and tetrachloromethane.
Example:
To differentiate electrolytes from non-electrolytes in the molten and aqueous state.
Apparatus - Battery, ammeter, switch, carbon electrodes, electric bulb, crucible, Bunsen burner, tripod stand, wire gauze, beaker. Material Lead ll bromide, potassium iodide, lead powder, glucose, naphthalene, water.
Answers
Substance Electric bulb Ammeter needle Changes at electrodesL Brown gas released, shining metal seen Purple gas released,shining metal seen. No chemical change No chemical change No chemical change
Lights up
Deflects
Lights up
Deflects
Lights up No change
Deflects No deflection
Naphtahlene No change
No deflection
2.
3. 4.
Answers
Substance Electric bulb Lights up Ammeter needle Deflects Changes at electrodes Solutions turns brown
Potassium iodide
Glucose solution
No chemical change
Discussion
1. Aqueous potassium iodide conducts eletric current as it contains freely moving ions in solutions. 2. Glucose solutions is made up of molecules , not ions and so cannot conduct electic current.
Conclusion
Substances which can conduct electric current in the molten or aqueous states are electrolytes.
Discussion
Lead(ll)bromide and potassium are electrolytes because they conduct electric current in the molten state, at the same time under going a chemical change. Lead is good conductor but does not decompose when electric current is passed through. Therefore it is not an electrolytes. Glucose and naphthalene cannot conduct electric current in the molten state, thus they are non-electrolytes .
ELECTRODE ELECTROLYTE
Term in electrolysis
1. Electrolysis - a process whereby
compounds in molten or aqueous state are broken down into their constituent elements by passing electricity through them. 2. Electrode (i) connected to the positive terminal of an electric current source (anode) (ii) connected to the negative terminal of an electric current source (cathode)
Bromine gas, Br2 is released Half equation: 2BrBr2 + 2e At cathode, Pb2+ undergo discharge The ions accept two electrons to form a lead atom, Pb Half equation : Pb2+ + 2e Pb Lead metal is form Overall equation: Pb2+ + 2BrPb + Br2
2Cl-
Cl2 + 2e
Na
Chlorine gas
Greenish yellow gas 2Cl- + 2Na+