SCIENCE FORM 4

CHAPTER 5: 5.5
ELECTROLYSIS
Objects coated with a thin layer of another metal
ELECTROLYSIS电解
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQ9Fhd7P_HA
• Water Electrolysis
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x2ZCSr23Z8
• Electrolysis of molten lead bromide
 5.5 ELECTROLYSIS
• Electrolysis is the decomposition of an
electrolyte by electricity.
• An electrolyte is a liquid or solution which
contains free-moving ions that can
conduct electricity.
• The electrodes are conductors which
carry electricity into or out of an
electrolyte.
• The electrode joined to the positive
terminal of the dry cell is called the
anode whereas the electrode joined to
the negative terminal is called the
cathode.
• During electrolysis, the positively-charged
ions (cations) are attracted to the
cathode and receive electrons. The
negatively-charged ions (anions) are
attracted to the anode and release
electrons.
 Electrolysis of lead bromide
5.5 ELECTROLYSIS

Bromine
gas Lead
metal

Molten
lead
bromide
Refer to the diagram above:
• In the complete circuit, the bulb lights up.
This is because molten lead bromide conducts
electricity.
• At the anode, the bromide ions release
electrons to become bromine atoms. The
bromine atoms combine together to form
bromine gas (brown colour).
• At the cathode, lead ions receive electrons to
become lead atoms. Lead metal is formed
(grey solid).
USES OF ELECTROLYSIS:

• (a) Extraction of reactive metals

• (b) Electroplating
• (c) Purification of metals
(a) Extraction of reactive metals
- Metals which are more reactive than
carbon are extracted from their ores by
electrolysis.
- For example, aluminium can be extracted
from its ore, bauxite (aluminium oxide).
- Bauxite is first purified and then dissolved
in cryolite. This is to lower the melting
point of aluminium oxide.
 CRYOLITE
• Cryolite (Na3AlF6, sodium hexafluoroaluminate)
- When aluminium oxide melts, aluminium
ions and oxide ions are free to move.
- When electricity is passed through the
electrolyte, the positively-charged
aluminium ions are attracted to the
cathode. They receive electrons and
become aluminium atoms.
- The molten aluminium formed is
channelled into moulds.
 - At the anode, the oxide ions lose
electrons to become oxygen atoms.
The oxygen atoms combine together to
form oxygen gas.

Aluminium is extracted from bauxite by electrolysis

A.2 EXTRACTION OF METALS (SL)

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvDHeYI-a00

Extraction of aluminium
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaSwimvCGA8
ELECTROPLATING:
COPPER-PLATE A KEY
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnJ0V7B7nKo

Electroplating a coin with copper

• Htt ps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQAdKksRKLE
5.5 ELECTROLYSIS

Iron spoon electroplated with copper

• Uses of electrolysis in industry:
(b) Electroplating
- To prevent iron objects from corrosion,
they are electroplated with a thin layer
of unreactive metals such as
copper, silver and chromium.
- Electroplating make these objects
resistant to corrosion and more
attractive.
 5.5 ELECTROLYSIS
Rules for electroplating: Rheostat
(i) Anode : Plating metal
(ii) Cathode: Object to be
electroplated
(i) Electrolyte: Solution of the
Copper plating metal
Iron
as spoon
anode Copper ions as
cathode
Copper
sulphate
solution

Electroplating an iron spoon with copper

- At the anode, the copper dissolves to
form positively-charged copper ions.
- At the cathode, the copper ions receive
electrons to form a coat of copper on
the iron spoon.
- A rheostat is used to control the current
flow in the circuit so that a small
current is used and the object to be
electroplated must be cleaned with
a sandpaper before electrolysis.
These steps are taken to obtain
good results.
(c) Purification of metals
- When electricity is passed through the
electrolyte, the copper anode dissolves
to form copper ions. At the same time, the
impurities settle to the bottom.
- These positively-charged ions are
attracted to the cathode. They receive
electrons and form copper atoms and
causes copper to be deposited on the
pure copper.
Purifying copper by electrolysis
ELECTROLYTIC REFINING

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U2mI_JJ0ZU
SCIENCE MODULE P.118-119

• file:///C:/Users/Tan%20SE/Documents/Science%20For
m%204/Sc%20F4%20C5/05%20Modul%20Sains%20F
4%20Bab5(CSY4p).pdf
 CHAPTER 5: ENERGY AND CHEMICAL CHANGES
QUIZ
7.

Brown Grey
gas solid

Molten
lead
bromide
When the switch is turned on, what can be
observed?
I. The bulb lights up
II. Brown gas is given off at the anode
III. A grey solid is deposited at the cathode
A. I only
B. I and II only
C. II and III only
D. I, II and III only
8. Which of the following is true about
electroplating an iron key with silver?
A. The key is used as the anode
B. A small current is used
C. A silver plate is used as the cathode
D. Copper sulphate solution is used as the
electrolyte