Understanding The Electrolysis Process

1718 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Electrolysis in chemistry

What is Electrolysis? Electrolysis is a chemical change brought about by the passing of an electric current through a solution or melt. It is also used to produce alkalis and elements such as chlorine and hydrogen. The process involves the addition (oxidation) or subtraction (reduction) of ions in elements. The electric current motions the ions to proceed onto the electrodes. For example, the cations (positive ions) move to the negative electrode (cathode) and the positive electrode (anode) will receive the negative ions (anions). This process, both regular and vise-versa can only be done with the use of an electrolytic cell. The Electrolysis process contains many different components that make this possible. Each and every component is necessary and each plays a certain role. Understanding what each is and what each does is critical in being able to comprehend the Electrolysis process. To be able to use the electrolysis process, one must be able to fully understand half equations. One must be able to write such equations to show what exactly happens during electrolysis. Electrolysis is a very complex process which in turn nurtures the fact that we have to study in order to understand every little detail.
First to completely understand the electrolysis process, one must start from the basics, electrons. Electrons play a big role in the electrolysis progression. They are in every step along the way, and knowing what they do and how they work will help a considerable amount in understanding this very complicated process. Electrons, by definition, are negatively charged particles found in the atom. Neutrons and protons inside the atom accompany them. Electrons are extremely small, and by combining all of them, they give off a nega...

... middle of paper ...

...s and each serves an important and specific purpose. Knowing the difference between the two is essential to full comprehend the electrolytic stages. The cathode and the anode are completely and utterly opposite. Yes, they are similar in what they ultimately do, but it is just that they do the exact opposite from each other. Without the contribution of each one of the electrodes this process would fail miserably. One must also understand the most fundamental of chemistry, the electron. Without the electron none of this would be possible. It is in every step along the way, and plays an important role elsewhere as well. Studying all of the details will give a person an excellent chance of learning and understanding such a complex process.

Works Cited

"Electrolysis." - Chemwiki. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2013.

"Electrolysis." Electrolysis. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2013

Show More
Related

  • How Does Plasma Cutting Work?

    701 Words  | 2 Pages

    We use metals to construct all kinds of structures, from bridges to skyscrapers to elevators. The strength as well as durability of materials that are crafted out of metal make the materials ideal not only for construction but also for many other applications.

    Read More

  • Sources Of Electrolytes: Which Drink Provides More Electrolytes

    1109 Words  | 3 Pages

    An electrolyte is a substance that will dissociate into ions in a solution, which are found in most sports drinks. Electrolytes are some of the most complex nutrients. Electrolytes are positively or negatively charged ions that conduct electrical activity. In the body electrolytes must be present in proper concentrations in order to maintain fluid balance, muscle contraction and neural activity. The kidneys work to maintain electrolyte balance by conserving or excreting electrolytes. Water is drawn to locations where electrolytes are most concentrated. Therefore, electrolytes play an important role in maintaining the balance of water throughout the body, particularly during exercise when electrolytes and water can be lost through sweating.

    Read More

  • Investigating Which Metal Combination Gives Out the Most Voltage in a Solution

    919 Words  | 2 Pages

    Metals contain a sea of electrons (which are negatively charged) and which flow throughout the metal. This is what allows electric current to flow so well in all metals. An electrode is a component of an electric circuit that connects the wiring of the circuit to a gas or electrolyte. A compound that conducts in a solution is called an electrolyte. The electrically positive electrode is called the anode and the negative electrode the cathode.

    Read More

  • Electrolysis Essay

    587 Words  | 2 Pages

    Electrolysis is the only permanent hair removal methods that can help you achieve and maintain a smooth, hair-free beautiful aspects. This is a convenient, low-Charge strategy to refresh your image, increase your confidence and enhance Your enjoyment of life everyday.

    Read More

  • Energy Story

    433 Words  | 1 Pages

    Electricity is an interesting subject. There is so much you can learn from it, like how our lights turn on or how we make cell phones. This is all a mystery until we finally get a little bit of information in our brains. I've just read two articles, "Energy Story" and "Conducting solutions". I also watched a video called Hands-on Science with Squishy circuits. I learned so much valuable information from these resources.

    Read More

  • Dry Cell Battery Essay

    779 Words  | 2 Pages

    A battery is a device which converts chemical energy into electrical energy. A battery usually consists of two or more cells connected in series or parallel, you can also have a single cell battery. All cells consist of a positive electrode, and a negative electrode. An electrolyte is a liquid substance capable of conducting electricity. In this substance one of the electrodes will react producing electrons, while the other will except electrons. When the electrodes are connected to a device to be powered, called a load, an electrical current flows.

    Read More

  • The Electrolysis of Copper Sulphate

    588 Words  | 2 Pages

    The electrolyte (solution) contains negative and positive ions. For electrolysis to work there must be the same amount of positive ions to negative ions so that the solution is electrically balanced. A solution of metal compounds can only conduct electricity if it is balanced. The negative ions are attracted to the anode (+ve electrode) and the positive ions (protons) are attracted to the cathode (-ve electrode). The electrolyte effect the amount of atoms attracted.

    Read More

  • Health Benefits Of Drinking Water Essay

    463 Words  | 1 Pages

    The water ionizer is a costly home appliance which turns regular water to alkaline water through the process of electrolysis.

    Read More

  • Electroplating Experiment

    2202 Words  | 5 Pages

    Time - The longer time can let more copper ions from the anode to the cathode if the current are the same. There are still more factors which can affect the mass deposited during electroplating. 3). Distance between two electrodes - If the distance between the two electrodes is greater, the copper ions require to travel more from the anode to the cathode.

    Read More

  • Electrostatic Precipitator

    1219 Words  | 3 Pages

    The electrostatic precipitator (ESP) is a machine used in factories, to clean out the waste solid particle, for example ash from the exhaust gas, allowing clean exhaust gas exit through the chimney. The electrostatic precipitator functions by using first allow the exhaust gas with the waste solid particles pass through the Nozzle as shown in the diagram below. Then the exhaust gas passes through inlet gas distribution, which evenly distributes the gas as shown below in a turquoise color, and starts going through the Discharge electrodes and the collector plates, which is shown in the diagram red and blue respectively. The discharge electrodes, which are powered by high voltage direct current, ionize the gas along with the other solid waste particles negatively. The collector plates are also charged with high voltage electricity, but it is positively charged, therefore attracting the negatively charged solid particle, because oppositely charged particles attract. This allows the clean exhaust gas pass through the other end, while the solid waste particles are trapped in the collector plates. Eventually when there are enough solid waste particles collected on the collector plates, the collect plates shakes off the collected waste, where it drops to the bottom of the shaft as shown in the diagram as “Hopper”.

    Read More

  • The Relationship Between Length, Width and Resistance of a Wire

    2113 Words  | 5 Pages

    It involves collisions between the free electrons, the fixed. particles of the metal, other free electrons and impurities. These collisions convert some of the energy that the free electrons are. carrying heat, which means that electrical energy is lost. Apparatus: I will be using an Ammeter.

    Read More

  • Volume's Effect on a Copper Sulphate Solution

    922 Words  | 2 Pages

    An electrode is a component of an electric circuit that connects the conventional wiring of the circuit to a conducting medium such as an electrolyte or a gas. The electrically positive electrode is called the anode and the negative electrode the cathode. If an anode and a cathode are placed in a solution of an electrolyte and a source of direct current is connected between them, the positive ions in the

    Read More

  • Electrolysis Investigation

    2221 Words  | 5 Pages

    Electrolysis Investigation Planning In this investigation, I will assess how changing the electric current in the electrolysis of acidified water affects the rate at which hydrogen gas is produced. The solution to be electrolysed is made up using acid and water. It is of little consequence what acid is used however in this case I will use Sulphuric acid (H2SO4). When H2SO4 is put in water it is dissociated and forms ions: H2SO4 → 2H (2+) + SO4 (2-) Ions are also present from the water in the solution: H2O → H (+) + OH (-) During the electrolysis process, the positive hydrogen ions move towards the cathode and the negative hydroxide and sulphate ions move towards the anode.

    Read More

  • Electrophoresis Essay

    1062 Words  | 3 Pages

    Electrophoresis is an analytical technique for the analysis of macromolecules like proteins and nucleic acids. This technique was discovered and first used in 1937 by a Swedish biochemist Arne Tiselius . The electrophoretic effect is based on the theory of Debye - Huckel - Onsager where this theory of electrolytic dissociation accept the fact that charged particles move up under the influence of electrostatic forces to an electrode of opposite charge is applied when a potential difference in a solution containing electrolytes.

    Read More

  • Aluminum Recycling

    2032 Words  | 5 Pages

    Aluminum is an element in the boron group with a symbol of Al, and an atomic number of 13. Aluminum is a very soft metal when pure but becomes strong and hard when alloyed, a malleable metal with a silvery gray color. Aluminum is a very reactive element so it is found in nature combined with other elements. Aluminum resists corrosion by the formation of a self-protecting oxide coating. Aluminum is the third most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, following oxygen and silicon. It makes up approximately 8% by weight of the Earth’s surface. Although this is evident, it is also apparent that aluminum is never found by itself in nature. All of the earth’s aluminum has combined with other elements to form compounds and in order to create new aluminum products; it has to be taken out of that specific compound. Aluminum does not rust like other elements, therefore it always remains strong and shiny, which means reused aluminum is almost identical to a brand new piece of metal. An electrochemical process creates aluminum. An electrochemical process is “the direct process end use in which electricity is used to cause a chemical transformation” ( E.I.A. Government). Major uses of electrochemical processes occur in the aluminum industry in which alumina is reduced to molten aluminum metal and oxygen, where than the aluminum can be used into making several different materials. Electrochemical processes, although very useful, can have serious environmental consequences. To help reduce the consequences that the production of aluminum creates, the idea of aluminum recycling comes into play.

    Read More

More about Understanding The Electrolysis Process

Open Document