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SubjectPaid lesson

Electrolysis 2

ClassNotes Team 9 MIN READUPDATED 5 JUL 2026

CHEMISTRY  SSS2  Third Term

WEEK 4

Electrolysis 1

Performance objectives

Students should be able to:

  1. Illustrate the electrolysis of acidified water, brine and copper (ii) sulphate.
  2. State Faraday’s laws of electrolysis.
  3. Calculations on electrolysis.
  4. Uses of electrolysis.

Content

Electrolysis of acidified water

The electrolyte is dilute sulfuric acid (acidified water) which, during electrolysis is split into hydrogen and oxygen gases. Theoretically into a 2:1 ratio by gas volume.

This is one experimental method of showing water is a compound composed of the elements hydrogen and oxygen atoms i.e. by splitting liquid water into two gaseous element molecules of hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2).

Water only ionises to a tiny extent giving minute concentrations of hydrogen ions and…