Understand Electrolysis

In this worksheet, students will look at how electricity is used to separate substances into their elements and what industrial applications use this method.

Key stage: KS 4

Year: GCSE

GCSE Subjects: Chemistry: Single Subject, Chemistry: Combined Science, Physical Sciences, Component 2: Concepts in Chemistry: Single Subject, Component 2: Concepts in Chemistry: Combined Science,

GCSE Boards: AQA, AQA Trilogy, AQA Synergy, OCR 21st Century, OCR Gateway, Pearson Edexcel, Eduqas,

Curriculum topic: Chemical Changes, Movement and Interactions, Chemicals of the Natural Environment, Chemical Reactions, Reactivity Series and Extraction of Metals

Curriculum subtopic: Electrolysis Atoms Into Ions and Ions Into Atoms What Are Electrolytes and What Happens During Electrolysis? Electrolytic Processes Reactivity Series and Extraction of Metals

Difficulty level:

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Worksheet Overview

An electric current can be used to separate compounds into their different elements, and also to create new products using a method called electrolysis. The diagram below shows an electrolytic cell while electrolysis of sodium chloride (NaCl) is taking place:

Image of electrolysis

The principle is that the electric current separates the compound into its ions. Ions are atoms that have gained or lost one or more electrons in order to make the compound with the other element(s). The electrodes used for electrolysis are a positive one (anode), which attracts negative ions (anions), and a negative one (cathode), which attracts positive ions (cations).

The electrolyte is the molten compound or the solution that is separated during electrolysis, and it must be able to conduct electricity.

Electrolysis of dilute sulfuric acid

Hydrogen is made at the cathode: 2H+ + 2e- H2. The positive hydrogen ions migrate towards the negative cathode, gain one electron each and are discharged as hydrogen gas.

Oxygen is made at the anode: 4OH- - 4e- 2H2O + O2. The negative hydroxyl ions migrate towards the positive anode, they lose one electron each and combine to form water and oxygen.

Purifying copper

Electrolysis is also used to purify metals, such as copper. Copper is extracted as an ore (compounds of copper with other elements) and is purified with this method. The anode is the impure copper; it dissolves into the electrolyte, and pure copper coats the cathode. This is called electroplating.

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