When electricity is passed through an IONIC

When ionic substance are DISSOLVED IN WATER,

compound or a SOLUTION containing IONS
the water is also electrolysed.
electrolysis takes place.
The products at the electrodes depends on the
OILRIG: Oxidation is loss; Reduction is gain (of
reactivities of the substances involved.
electrons)
If the metal ions (positive) are higher than
Oxidation takes place when negatively charged
hydrogen in the reactivity series—hydrogen is
ions lose electrons at the positive electrode
produced at the negative electrode
Reduction takes place when positively charged
If they are lower—the metal is produced
ions gain electrons at the negative electrode
If the non-metal ion (negative) is from group 7 (F,
E.g. electrolysis of lead bromide, PbBr2
Cl, Br, I) that element will be formed (F2, Cl2 etc)
At the negative electrode: Pb2+ + 2e- ―›
If it is any other ion—Oxygen, O2, will be formed
Pb
At the positive electrode: 2Br- ―› Br2 +

COPPER can be purified by electrolysing a BRINE is a solution of sodium chloride in water,

solution containing copper ions (e.g. copper
sulphate)
Very pure copper is required for electrical
circuits.
The positive electrode is made from impure
copper. Copper ions are produced here and
these enter the solution
The negative electrode is made from pure
copper
Copper ions are deposited here and the size of
the electrode increases
A “sludge” of waste material gathers under the
positive electrode
Positive electrode: Cu ―› Cu2+ + 2e- OXIDATION
Negative electrode: Cu2+ + 2e- ―› Cu
NaCl (aq)
When it is electrolysed hydrogen is produced at the
negative electrode, chlorine at the positive
electrode.
Sodium ions, Na+ and hydroxide ions, OH- are left in
the solution.
Sodium hydroxide is an alkali that can be used for
making soap, paper, bleach and for controlling pH
levels.
Chlorine is used to kill bacteria in swimming pool
and drinking water and in the manufacture of
plastics such as PVC
Hydrogen can be used as a fuel and is also used in