SS3 First Term Physics Lesson Note – Electrolysis

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WEEK 5

ELECTROLYSIS

CONTENT

• Definition of simple terms
• Faraday’s laws of electrolysis
• Simple calculations
• Applications of electrolysis

DEFINITION OF SIMPLE TERMS

Electrolysis – Is the process whereby a liquid conducts electricity by the movement of positive and negative ions within the liquid while undergoing chemical changes.

Electrolytes – Are liquid, which allows the electricity through them is called electrolytes. Such electricity is salt solutions, alkalis and dilute acids (acidulated water).

 Non-Electrolytes – are liquids, which do not allow electricity to pass through them. Such liquids include distilled water, alcohol, liquid paraffin and sugar solution.

NOTE: Metals and hydrogen are deposited at the cathode, while non-metals and oxygen are deposited on the anode. The anode may dissolve in solution.

Electrolysis does not manufacture electric charges and it is the “splitting’ of compounds by electricity. E.g. water decomposes into oxygen and hydrogen by electric current.

FARADAY’S LAWS OF ELECTROLYSIS

Faraday’s first law sate that the mass of a substance liberated during the process of electrolysis is proportional to the quantity of electricity passed through the electrolyte

Faraday’s second law of electrolysis states that the relative masses of substances liberated by the same quantity of electricity are proportional to their chemical equivalents.

SIMPLE CALCULATIONS

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