Electrolysis

Chemistry Project

Fatimah Yesildirek
Zelibeth Ramsay
Brandon Reyes
Adrian Rivera
Edgar Baca
Yael Entebi

12 B2
November 19, 2012
Principles of Electrolysis
First of all, we need to havea clear concept of electrolysis. What do we understand by electrolysis? Well, electrolysis is a method that uses electric current to have a non-spontaneous chemical reaction. Electrolysis iscommercially very important because it separates elements from naturally occurring sources. In other words, electrolysis means splitting by electricity. We also have to know that compounds can be decomposed byan electric current and this just can happen if a compound is made of ions and/or is melted or dissolved in water so that the ions are free to move. Electrodes are the ones in charge of carryingcurrent.
When a compound like lead bromide melts its ions become free to move. We have to know that bromide’s negative ions are attracted by the positive electrode and the positive ions of lead areattracted to the negative electrode separating bromide from lead. A process of reduction happens on lead in which their ions gain two electrons each forming atoms eventually becoming lead. On the otherhand, bromide courses through a process of oxidation, their ions lose one electron each forming bromine atoms, they pair up to form molecules and bromine leaves the solution as a gas.
Taking leadbromide as an example we can now have a better understanding and this is how the process of electrolysis works; it’s basically a process of reduction at a negative electrode and oxidation at a positiveelectrode. You charge the ions of the compound separating them into different elements.
Metals form when a molten ionic compound is electrolyzed at the negative electrode and a non-metal at the positiveelectrode. Also, if you dissolve an ionic compound in water, its ions are free to move and the solution will be electolysed. However, the results or the product can be different from the molten...