1

1 (a) A steel spoon can be electroplated with nickel.

The apparatus is shown.

+ –

spoon to be
electroplated

pure nickel rod

solution containing
Ni2+(aq) ions

Choose a word from the list which describes the nickel rod.

Draw a circle around your answer.

anion anode cathode cation electrolyte

[1]

(b) Describe the observations made during this electroplating at the:

pure nickel rod ..................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

spoon. ...............................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [2]

(c) State one reason for electroplating an object.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 4]

2 The diagram shows the equipment for the production of sodium by electrolysis.
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sodium

molten sodium chloride

– +

power supply

(a) The anode is inert.

Suggest a suitable substance that can be used for the anode.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) Label the anode on the diagram. [1]

(c) Describe, by reference to the diagram, how you know that sodium is less dense than molten
sodium chloride.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 3]

3 When concentrated aqueous sodium chloride is electrolysed, gases are produced at each electrode.

State the names of the products and give the observations at each electrode.

product at the negative electrode ............................................................................................

observations at the negative electrode ....................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

product at the positive electrode ..............................................................................................

observations at the positive electrode .....................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [4]

[Total: 4]
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4 Electrolysis is used to extract metals from metal compounds.

Describe the electrolysis of molten lead(II) bromide.

In your answer include:

• a labelled diagram of the apparatus used

• the names of the products formed at the positive and the negative electrodes.

positive electrode .....................................................................................................................

negative electrode ...................................................................................................................

[5]

[Total: 5]

5 Sodium chloride does not conduct electricity when solid, but does conduct electricity when molten.

(a) Explain why, in terms of structure and bonding.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [3]

(b) Name the product formed at the positive electrode when electricity is passed through molten
sodium chloride.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]
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(c) State the type of change that occurs at the positive electrode in (b).

Explain your answer in terms of electron transfer.

type of change ..................................................................................................................

explanation ....................................................................................................................... [2]

(d) Describe what else can be done to sodium chloride to allow it to conduct electricity.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 7]

6 Sodium is extracted from sodium chloride by electrolysis.

(a) State the meaning of the term electrolysis.

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) State what must be done to sodium chloride before it can be electrolysed to produce sodium.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(c) Write an ionic half-equation for the change that occurs at the cathode during this electrolysis.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 4]

7 Aluminium is manufactured by the electrolysis of molten aluminium oxide.

(a) Predict the products of the electrolysis of molten aluminium oxide at:

the positive electrode .......................................................................................................

the negative electrode. ..................................................................................................... [2]

[Total: 2]

8 A sample of concentrated hydrobromic acid, HBr(aq), was electrolysed using platinum electrodes.
3
The concentration of the hydrobromic acid was 8.89 mol / dm .
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3
(a) Calculate the concentration of the HBr(aq) in g / dm .

3
concentration of the HBr(aq) = ........................... g / dm [1]

(b) Explain why concentrated HBr(aq) can conduct electricity.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [2]

(c) Magnesium is not a suitable material from which to make the electrodes.

Explain why.

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(d) Predict the product formed at the anode when concentrated HBr(aq) is electrolysed.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(e) Write the ionic half-equation for the reaction occurring at the cathode.

........................................................................................................................................... [2]

[Total: 7]

9 A student used the following apparatus to electrolyse concentrated aqueous sodium chloride using
inert electrodes.
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concentrated aqueous
sodium chloride

inert electrodes

+ –

(a) Suggest the name of a metal which could be used as the inert electrodes.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) Name the gas formed at the positive electrode.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(c) Write an ionic half-equation for the reaction occurring at the negative electrode.
Include state symbols.

........................................................................................................................................... [3]

(d) How, if at all, does the pH of the solution change during the electrolysis?
Explain your answer.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [3]

[Total: 8]

10 Electrolysis is carried out on aluminium oxide dissolved in molten cryolite.

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waste gases

positive electrode

negative electrode aluminium oxide dissolved

in molten cryolite

aluminium

(a) Give two reasons why the electrolysis is carried out on aluminium oxide dissolved in molten
cryolite instead of electrolysing molten aluminium oxide only.

1 ........................................................................................................................................

2 ........................................................................................................................................ [2]

(b) Write the ionic half-equation for the reaction occurring at the negative electrode.

........................................................................................................................................... [2]

(c) The positive electrodes are made of carbon.

Explain why the positive carbon electrodes are replaced regularly.

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [2]

[Total: 6]