Electrochemistry - English

1.
Electrochemical cells
GRADE 11 – ELECTROCHEMISTRY 2. Electrolysis
3. Corrosion of metals
1. Electrochemical cells
• A device which can generate electricity from
chemical reactions is known as an electrochemical
cell.
• When a zinc strip and copper strip is dipped in
dilute sulphuric acid electricity is generated.
Observations :
- Zinc strip dissolves
- Gas bubbles are evolved from the copper strip
Oxidation - releasing electrons
- Ammeter deflects
Reduction - gaining electrons
Lets consider the changes which occurs during this activity.

a. Sulphuric acid dissociated into ions in water.
b. The most reactive metal releases electrons (oxidation) and become ions.
c. Hydrogen ions in the solution gains electrons (reduction) and release as H2 gas.
These reactions are know as ‘half reactions’.

Complete reaction of this electrochemical cell can be obtained by adding above 1 and 2
equations.
• Oxidation takes place near the zinc electrode.

Therefore, there are an excess of electrons near it.
• The excess electrons travels from the zinc electrode
towards the copper electrode through the external
circuit.
• An electric current flows in the opposite direction of
the electron flow.
Electrodes of a electrochemical cell
Anode Cathode
• The metal placed higher in the activity • The metal which is lower in the activity
series. series.
• Oxidation takes place. • Reduction takes place.
• The negative (-) terminal of the cell. • The positive (+) terminal of the cell.
1. Name the anode and the cathode of the above electrochemical cell. (Cu and Zn cell)
2. Identify the anode and cathode of the below electrochemical cells and write the equations
accordingly.
a)
2. Electrolysis
• Electrolysis is a process of performing chemical
reactions by supplying electrical energy.
• Carbon or platinum electrodes are used as they do not

react with the electrolyte.
• The electrode which the positive terminal of the

electric source is connected is considered as the anode
• The electrode which the negative terminal is connected is the cathode.
Lets consider few instances of electrolysis;

1. Electrolysis of fused sodium chloride 2. Electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride
The liquid contains only Na+ ions and Cl- ions. Solution contains Na+ ions and Cl- ions. Additionally it
contains a small amount of H+ and OH- ions.
The below half reactions take place at the electrodes.
Cathodic reaction;
Cathodic reaction;
Out of the positive ions the most reactive ion does
reduction.
Anodic reaction;
Anodic reaction;
Out of the negative ions Cl-1 ions has more tendency in
oxidation.
Total reaction of electrolysis;

Total reaction;
• Na+ ions and OH- will be remained in the

solution
• NaOH is commercial produced by electrolysis

of aqueous NaCl.
3. Electrolysis of an aqueous copper sulphate solution Cathodic reaction
Solution contains Cu2+ ions and H+ ions.
Reduction is done by the least reactive.
Anodic reaction
OH-1 ions has more tendency in oxidation compared to
SO42- ions.
Total reaction:
3. Electrolysis of acidulated water

• When distilled water is mixed with a small amount of an acid its
known as acidulated water.
• When sulphuric acid is mixed with water, the solution contains H+,
OH- and SO42- ions.
Cathodic reaction
Anodic reaction
Total reaction
1. Name few industrial usages of electrolysis
2. What is the reason of separating the cathode and anode in the downs cell when sodium metal
is extracted commercially?
3. What is the advantage of adding calcium chloride to the electrolyte when sodium is extracted
commercially?
Electroplating
Applying a thin layer of metal on the surface of another metal using electrolysis is known as
electroplating.
Electrolyte - a salt solution which contains the metal which should be plated
ex: copper sulphate can be used if needed to plate copper
Cathode - the object which should be plated
Anode - the metal which should be plated on the cathode
Example : Plating copper on an iron spoon
Cathodic reaction
Anodic reaction
What are the steps which should be followed to obtain a quality and even electroplating?
Corrosion of metals
Tarnishing, surface turning rough and colour change of metals is kwon as corrosion.
Corrosion of iron is known as ‘rusting’.
Essential factors for rusting

- Oxygen
- Water
Factors which increase the rate of rusting

- Acids
- Salts
Factors which reduce the rate of rusting

- Bases
Controlling rusting
- Apply paint or any other substance to prevent contact with oxygen and water
- Keep a metal in contact which is above iron in the reactivity series (cathodic /sacrificial
protection)
2017
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2011

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1.

Lets consider the changes which occurs during this activity.

These reactions are know as ‘half reactions’.

• Oxidation takes place near the zinc electrode.

• Carbon or platinum electrodes are used as they do not

• The electrode which the positive terminal of the

• The electrode which the negative terminal is connected is the cathode.

Lets consider few instances of electrolysis;

Total reaction of electrolysis;

• Na+ ions and OH- will be remained in the

• NaOH is commercial produced by electrolysis

3. Electrolysis of acidulated water

1. Name few industrial usages of electrolysis

Example : Plating copper on an iron spoon

Corrosion of iron is known as ‘rusting’.

Essential factors for rusting

Factors which increase the rate of rusting

Factors which reduce the rate of rusting

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