Electrolysis 1

CHEMISTRY SSS2 Third Term

WEEK 3

Electrolysis 1

Performance objectives

Students should be able to:

1. Define electrolysis, electrolyte, electrodes, and electrolytic cells.
2. Distinguish between strong and weak electrolytes.
3. Draw an electrolytic and electrochemical cells.

Content

Electrolysis

Electrolysis is the process by which electric current is passed through a substance to effect a chemical change. The chemical change is one in which the substance loses or gains an electron (oxidation or reduction). The process is carried out in an electrolytic cell, an apparatus consisting of positive and negative electrodes held apart and dipped into a solution containing positively and negatively charged ions. The substance to be transformed may form the electrode, may constitute the solution or may be dissolved in the solution. Electric current (i.e., electrons) enters through the negatively charged electrode (cathode);…