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Electrolysis-Past papers questions
IGCSE - CHEMISTRY
Electrolysis questions + past papers questions
www.chem-exptc.com
2010
1. During the electrolysis of a MOLTEN salt (compound) the product at the CATHODE
is:
A. Non – metal
B. Metal
C. Sodium
D. Chlorine
2. During the electrolysis of a MOLTEN salt (compound) the product at the ANODE is:
A. Non – metal
B. Metal
C. Sodium
D. Chlorine
3. During the electrolysis of a MOLTEN sodium chloride ( NaCl ) the product at the
anode and the cathode are:
Anode Cathode
A. Sodium Chloride
B. Sodium chlorine
C. Chlorine Sodium
D. chloride sodium
4. During the electrolysis of a MOLTEN lead iodide ( PbI 2 ) the product at the anode
and the cathode are:
Anode Cathode
A. hydrogen iodine
B. iodine lead
C. lead iodide
D. lead iodine
A. H 2( g )
B. O2 ( g )
C. SO2( g )
D. Red brown deposit (Cu (s ) )
7. During the electrolysis of a DILUTE CuSO4(aq ) the products at the CATHODE and
the ANODE are:
cathode anode
A. O2 ( g ) Cu (s )
B. H 2( g ) O2 ( g )
C. Cu (s ) O2 ( g )
D. Cu (s ) SO2( g )
8. The colour of the universal indicator in a neutral medium is .
A. Blue
B. Red
C. Green
D. Violet
9. When a few drops of the universal indicator are added to the acid HCl (aq ) , the
expected colour is
A. Blue
B. Red
C. Green
D. Violet
10. An acid reacts with metal to produce
A. Salt + water
B. Salt + base
C. Salt + hydrogen
D. Water + carbon dioxide
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
15. When aqueous H 2 SO 4(aq) solution is electrolysed using inert carbon electrodes, the
substance formed at cathode is:
(a) hydrogen gas
(b) Oxygen gas
(c) Copper (II) ion
(d) Copper deposit
16. When aqueous H 2 SO 4(aq) solution is electrolysed using inert carbon electrodes, the
substance formed at anode is a:
(a) Gas that burns with pop sound
(b) Gas that relights a glowing splint
(c) Brown gas
(d) Pink solid
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
heat
18. The diagram shows the electrolysis to electroplate nickel with different metals
+ −
1 2 3 4
Ni Ni Ni Ni
Aqueous Aqueous
Copper (II) sulphate sodium Chloride
19. Metal X is low in the reactivity series and it is liberated by electrolysis of its
bromide.
1 2
Lead In solution
A.
Lead molten
B.
C. Sodium In solution
D. Sodium molten
copper hydrogen
anode anode
A.
anode cathode
B.
C. cathode anode
D. cathode cathode
21. Two elements X and Y form ionic compounds, XBr2 and Y2O3. The
compounds are separately melted and electricity is passed through the
liquids.
B. bromine and Y
C. oxygen and X
D. X and Y
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
23. What is the charge on an anode and the type of element formed at such an
electrode?
A. negative metal
B. negative non-metal
C. positive metal
D. positive non-metal
24. The diagram shows how to cause a chemical change in a molten compound.
+ -
electrodes
molten compound
heat
What is this process used for?
D. production of fertilisers
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
• X is a …..1..…;
• Y is a …..2..…;
1 2 3
26. In which electrolysis are chlorine, hydrogen and sodium hydroxide all
produced?
A.
B.
C.
D.
B. chlorine
C. oxygen
D. hydrogen
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
29. The diagram shows that two gases are formed when concentrated
hydrochloric acid is electrolysed between inert electrodes.
+ve - ve
concentrated
hydrochloric acid
Which line correctly describes the colours of the gases at the electrodes?
A. colourless colourless
B. colourless yellow-green
C. yellow-green colourless
D. yellow-green yellow-green
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
electrode X + − electrode Y
heat
31. The following electrolysis circuit is set up, using inert electrodes P, Q, R and
S.
+ − + −
P Q R S
Molten Concentrated
Lead (II) bromide hydrochloric acid
32. The following electrolysis circuit is set up, using inert electrodes
At which electrode is a metal deposited?
+ − + −
A B C D
Concentrated Molten
aqueous Lead (II) bromide
sodium chloride
concentrated
hydrochlor ic acid
What should be shown at X when the solution has been electrolysed for some
time?
A B C D
Cl 2 H2 Cl 2 H2 H2 O2 H2 Cl 2
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
B. copper(II) sulphate
C. steel
D. sodium chloride
brine chlorine X
+ -
positive porous negative
electrode wall electrode
36. Define
(a)Electrolysis
………………………………………….…………………..………………………
(b) Electrolyte (liquid)
………………………………………….…………………..……………………
(c)Conductor (metal)
………………………………………….…………………..………………………
(d) Anode
………………………………………….……………………..……………………
(e)Inert electrode
………………………………………….…………………..………………………
37. In electrolysis of molten magnesium chloride MgCl2 using graphite electrodes
(a) Give the formula of the ions present
………………………………………………………………………………………
(b) What is observed at
Anode ……………………………, cathode ……………..……………………
Cathode: ……………………………
→ ………..…….…………..……..…
(e) Draw a labeled dia gram and indicat e the direction of electron flow
38. Name the products at electrodes, during the electrolysis ( using inert electrodes) of
- At Anode: ……..……….….....
→ ……….………..………...
At Cathode: …………………..…
→ …………..……..………...
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
42. The following diagram shows electroplating of a an iron spoon with copper
(a) The metal of which X is m ade is………………..…………..
(b) Is X made anode or cathode ? ……………………….….....
(c) Is the spoon anode or cathode ? ………………………...…
(d) A suitable electrolyte is ……………………….…………………
(e) In case we need to electroplate the spoon with silver ,
suggest a suitable
(i) Anode …………………..……..
(ii) Electrol yte ……………………..
Spoon X
electrolyte
…..……………………..…………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………..……..
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
4 4 . The diagram shows a method for obtaining pure copper from impure
copper.
positive
Electrode negative
( Anode ) Electrode
( cathode )
A B
C D
electrolyte
1- Name each of the following substances
a) Substance A ………………………………………………..
b) Substance B ……………………………………………………
c) Substance C ………………………………………….………
d) Substance D ………………………………………….………
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
+ A
C B
Molten Aluminum
D collecting on the bottom
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………..………
(d) Name the substance in which aluminum oxide is dissolved in the above
electrolysis process.
………………………………………………………………………………………
(e) Explain why the substance in part (4) is added to aluminum oxide.
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
(f) Write the balanced ionic equation for the reaction which takes place at the
cathode.
………………………………….………………………………………………………
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
(g) Which electrode has to be frequently replaced during the process? Explain your
answer.
……………………………………….……………………………………………
…….………………………………………………………………………………
46. Zinc is extracted from its ore, zinc blende ,by reduction with carbon after being roasted
with air
a) Complete the following two equations for the reactions involved in this process
ZnO + ……..….
→ Zn + ……. CO 2
47. (a)Name the 3 products obtained by electrolysis of KBr ( aq ) using inert electrodes
…………………………………………………………………………..……………………………
(a) How is Br 2 obtained from KBr ( aq ) ?
……………………………………………………..…………….……………………..……………
……………………………………………………..…………..…………..…………..……………
(Brine)
Conc. NaCl (aq)
Porous
Wall
+ −
(a) Name the products at Anode Cathode
………………………………………………………….………………………………
…………………………………………………………..……
…………………………………………………………………………..………………
………….……………………………………………………
(d) How is chlorine gas obtained from NaCl (aq ) solution?
…………………………………………………………………………..………………
…………………………………………………………………………..………………
(e)(a) Name the 3 products of the electrolysis of concentrated KBr(aq ) .
…………………………………..…..……,
………………………………....…..……….,
………………………….…………………
(f) Write the ionic equations taking place at
(i) anode:……………………..……
→ …………………………..……
(ii) Cathode: ……………..…..……
→ ………………………..…..……
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
50. The diagram below shows an apparatus in which the electrolysis of aqueous sodium
sulphate containing litmus solution was carried out.
Gas A
Gas B
Platinium Electrodes
Direct
Current
When the current was passed through the solution, the solution around the anode
turned red and the solution around the cathode turned blue. Gas A was found to
relight a glowing splint and gas B, when ignited, burned with “pop”.
(a) Give the formula of the four ions in aqueous sodium sulphate
……………………………………………………….……………………………
……………………………………………………………….………………… [2]
(b) Which ion caused the litmus to turn red?
……………………………………………………………..…………………… [1]
(c) Which ion caused the litmus to turn blue?
……………………………………………………………….………………… [1]
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
(ii) Explain why the addition of sodium sulphate to deionised water allows a reaction
to take place.
……………………………………………………….……………………………
………………………………………………………………………….…………
……………………………………………………….……………………………
……………………………………………………………………….………… [2]
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
Molten Calcium
Chloride
Graphite
(i) How would you convert lime (calcium oxide) into anhydrous calcium
chloride?
………………………………………….………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
Carbon
Electrodes
B
Part of circuit C to D D C
Molten Lithium
chloride
heat
….…………………………………………………………………………….…… [2]
(ii) How is electricity conducted in the part of the circuit labeled
A to B ………………………………………………………………………………
C to D ……………………………………………………………..………………. [2]
……………………………………………………………….………………… [3]
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
Electrodes
Molten potassium
bromide
heat
(i) Draw an arrow on the diagram to show the direction of the
electrons in the external circuit. [1]
(ii) Is the following reaction exothermic or endothermic? Give a reason for
your choice.
2KBr
→ 2K + Br2
…………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………[2]
(iii) Electrons are removed from the external circuit. Howe and where is this
done?
…………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………[1]
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
(iv) The results of experiments on electrolysis are shown in the following table.
Complete the table; the first has been completed as an example.
Electrolyte Electrodes Change at Change Change to
cathode at anode electrolyte
Molten Carbon Potassium Bromine Used up
metal formed formed
potassium
bromide
Aqueous Copper Stays the same
copper (II)
sulphate
Carbon hydrogen Chlorine Potassium
gas evolved formed hydroxide formed
[4]
54. The diagram shows the electrolysis of Lead (II) bromide, PbBr2
+ −
Brown fumes
Silvery metal
Heat
(a) Explain why solid lead (II) bromide does not conduct electricity.
…………………………………………………..…………………………………
(b) Balance the equations for the reactions that take place at each electrode.
(i) ………... Br −
→ Br2 + ……… e −
(ii) Pb 2+ + ……. e −
→ Pb
55. A metallic cup can be coated in silver by electrolysis. The process is called
electroplating
electrolyte
(a) Identify the metal from which the used electrode is made.…………………
56.
The diagram shows the apparatus used to electrolyse lead(II) bromide.
..................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................
(b) Explain why electrolysis does not occur unless the lead(II) bromide is
molten.
...................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................
Paper3
57. The electrolysis of concentrated aqueous sodium chloride produces three
commercially important chemicals; hydrogen, chlorine and sodium hydroxide.
(a)The ions present are Na+(aq), H+(aq) ,Cl –(aq) and OH–(aq).
(i)Complete the ionic equation for the reaction at the negative electrode (cathode).
………………. + ……………….
→ [1]
(ii)Complete the ionic equation for the reaction at the positive electrode (anode).
………………. - ……………….
→ [1]
(iii)Explain why the solution changes from sodium chloride to sodium hydroxide.
……………………………………………………………………………………..………. [1]
(b) (i) Why does the water supply industry use chlorine?
……………………………………………………………………………………..………. [1]
……………………………………………………………………………………..………. [1]
……………………………………………………………………………………..………. [1]
Nov-2008
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
(b) Write an ionic equation for the reaction at the positive electrode (anode).
……………………..……………………………………………………..………. [2]
……………………………………………………………………………..………. [2]
……………………………………………………………………………..………. [2]
……………………………………………………………………………..………. [1]
[Total: 10]
May-2008
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
1. Zinc is extracted from zinc blende, ZnS. Zinc blende is heated in air to give
zinc oxide . part of the zinc oxide reacts with sulphuric acid to give aqueous
zinc sulphate. This is electrolysed with inert electrodes (the electrolysis is
the same as that of copper (II) sulphate with inert electrodes).
(i) Zinc forms at the negative electrode (cathode). Write the equation for this
reaction.
………………………………………………………………………..………. [1]
(ii) Write the equation for the reaction at the positive electrode (anode).
………………………………………………………………………..………. [1]
………………………………………………………………………..………. [1]
1……………...………………………………………………………..……….
2. ………………………….……………………………………..………. [2]
Nov-2007
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
(a) Cell reactions are both exothermic and redox. They produce electrical
zinc iron
electrode electrode
becomes
thinner bubbles of
hydrogen form
dilute
sulphuric acid
Which substance in this cell is the reductant and which ion is the oxidant?
reductant ………zinc………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………..………………[1]
(ii) What is the important large scale use, relating to iron and steel, of this
…………………………………………………………………………………………………[1]
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
(b) Cells can be set up with inert electrodes and the electrolytes as oxidant
and reductant.
voltmeter
V
electron flow
carbon carbon
electrode electrode
(inert) (inert)
Potassium Potassium
manganate(VII)(aq) iodide(aq)
salt bridge
(allows ions to move from
one beaker to another)
The potassium manganate(VII) is the oxidant and the potassium iodide is the
reductant.
(i) Describe the colour change that would be observed in the left hand beaker.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………[2]
(ii) Write an ionic equation for the reaction in the right hand beaker.
2I– – 2e
→ I2
…………………………………………………………………………………………………[2]
May-2006
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
(i) The electrolysis of molten strontium chloride produces strontium metal and
…………..………………………………………………………………… [2]
Nov-2005
(i) Write an ionic equation for the reaction at the negative electrode (cathode).
............................................................................................................[1]
(ii) A colourless gas was given off at the positive electrode (anode) and the
solution changes from blue to colourless.
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................[2]
(c) Aqueous copper(II) sulphate can be electrolysed using copper electrodes. The
reaction at the negative electrode is the same but the positive electrode
becomes smaller and the solution remains blue.
(i) Write a word equation for the reaction at the positive electrode.
............................................................................................................[1]
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
(ii) Explain why the colour of the solution does not change.
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................[2]
............................................................................................................[1]
May-2004
May-2004
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
(b) Write an ionic equation for the reaction at the positive electrode (anode).
…………………….………………………………...………………..………. [2]
……………………………………………………………………..………. [2]
……………………….……………………………………………..………. [2]
……………………………………………………………………..………. [1]
[Total: 10]
May-2008
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
2. Lead bromide was placed in a tube and connected to an electrical circuit as shown below.
d.c.power supply
bulb
LEAD
BROMIDE
TOXIC
heat
The lead bromide was heated until molten. A brown gas was given off.
(a) State one other expected observation.
………………………………………….……………………….………………………………[1]
(c) Name the brown gas. At what electrode will the gas be given off?
⋅ Name …………………..………………….…………………………………….…………
⋅ electrode ……………………………….………………………………...………………[2]
…………..………………………….……………………………….…………………………[1]
May-June - 2004
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
3. The diagram shows the apparatus used to find out the effect of an electric current on a
concentrated aqueous solution of sodium chloride.
1……………………….…………………………………………………………………………
2……………………….…………………………………………………………………………
3……………………….……………………………………………….………………………[3]
……………………….……………………………………….…………………………………[1]
(ii)State a test for this product and the result of the test.
test……….……………………………………….………………………………………[1]
result ……………………….………………………………………………………………[1]
May-June-2006
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
(a) Name;
……………………..…………………………………………….……..………. [1]
…………………………………………………………………….………………[1]
a suitable electrolyte.
…………………………………………………………………….………………[1]
(b) Write an ionic equation for the reaction at the negative electrode.
…………………………………………………………………….………………[1]
(c) One use of this pure copper is electrical conductors, another is to make
alloys.
…………………………………………………………………….………………[1]
Nov-2005
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
5. The diagram shows the apparatus used to pass an electric current through concentrated
hydrochloric acid.
chlorine hydroge
n
2……….…………………………………..………………………………………… [2]
(c) Give a test for the product at the negative electrode (cathode).
test ……….…………………………..…………………………………………….
oct-Nov-2005
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
positive + − negative
electrode carbon electrode
rods
Concentrated
aqueous sodium
chloride and
universal indicator
7. A constant current was passed through aqueous copper(II) sulphate using inert
electrodes as shown in the diagram below. Copper was deposited at one of the
electrodes.
variable
resistor
+ –
D E
aqueous
copper(II) sulphate
(a) Name a suitable material for the inert electrodes. ……………………………… [1]
............................................................................................................................................[1]
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
[2]
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
8. A metal cup can be coated in silver by electrolysis. The cup must be very clean and
also rotated during the process, which is known as electroplating.
metal electrode
cup
electrolyte
.............................................................................................................................[1]
..............................................................................................................................[1]
(c) Suggest a suitable electrolyte that could be used to electroplate this cup.
..............................................................................................................................[2]
......................................................................................................................[1]
......................................................................................................................[1]
9. A student electrolysed lead bromide and aqueous sodium chloride in the apparatus
shown below.
+ -
+ - + -
carbon carbon
A B electrodes C D electrodes
molten aqueous
lead bromide sodium chloride
heat
......................................................................................................................................[1]
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
[4]
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
(c)Gases were produced at electrodes C and D. In each case name the gas and give
a test to confirm its presence.
(d) What change should be made so that sodium is produced at one of the
electrodes?
..........................................................................................................................................[1]
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
X Y
graphite electrodes
H 2SO 4 (aq)
(a) (i) Why was a small volume of sulphuric acid added to the water?
.......................................................................................................................
(ii)Name the gas collected in tube X and give a test for this gas.
gas ............................................................................................................................
test ............................................................................................................................
(iii) Name the gas collected in tube Y and give a test for this gas.
gas ............................................................................................................................
test ........................................................................................................................[5]
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
(b) State how the volume of gas collected in tube X compares with the volume of gas
collected in tube Y.
..................................................................................................................................... [1]
(c) Name a gas that may be used to sterilise water and give a test for this gas.
gas ...................................................................................................................................
(d) A student added a small piece of sodium and a small piece of iron to separate samples
of water. What observations were made?
sodium ..............................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
iron ...................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................... [3]
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
11. A student electrolysed concentrated aqueous sodium chloride using the apparatus
below.
The solution also contained litmus solution.
+ -
Carbon Carbon
anode anode
aqueous sodium
chloride containing
some litmus solution
......................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) Suggest what happened to the colour of the solution around the anode as the
electrolysis proceeded.
…..………......................................................................................................................... [1]
…….……….................................................................................................................... [1]
..................................................................................................................................... [1]
........................................................................................................................................ [1]
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
(iii) What happened to the colour of the solution around the cathode as the electrolysis
proceeded?
.............................................................................................................................. [1]
.............................................................................................................................. [1]
(c) The solution was replaced by a dilute solution of an acid. Suggest which acid
would produce the same gases as those produced with concentrated aqueous sodium
chloride.
(d) Under what conditions does the electrolysis of sodium chloride produce sodium at one of
the electrodes?
[Total: 9]
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
12. The diagram shows a cell that can be used to make electrical energy.
voltmeter
rod of metal X, Y or Z
Magnesium
rod electrolyte
............................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) This table shows the results when rods of three metals, X, Y and Z, are used in separate
experiments.
………………………
(i) Write an ionic equation, with state symbols, for the reaction which happened.
...................................................................................................................................
(ii) What would you expect to see after the reaction had been taking place for some time?
...............................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................[3]
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
(a) Write an ionic equation for the reaction between zinc and aqueous copper(II) sulphate.
..................................................................................................................................... [1]
copper electrode 2
electrode (Zinc)
aqueous copper (II)
sulphate
(b) Drawn an arrow on the diagram to show the direction of the flow of electrons in the wire.
[1]
(c) The voltage of the cell was measured when the following metals were used as electrode 2.
(d) When metal M was used as electrode 2, it produced a higher voltage than zinc.
Suggest a name for metal M.
........................................................................................................................................................ [1]
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
- +
Electrolyte
(aqueous copper (II)
sulphate
(a) Describe what you would observe during this electrolysis and write the equations for the
reactions at the electrodes.
(ii)Explain why solid copper(II) sulphate does not conduct electricity but an aqueous
solution of copper(II) sulphate does conduct.
(c)Describe how the apparatus shown in the diagram could be modified in order to electroplate
an iron object, such as a knife, with nickel.
(d) Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. Bronze is less malleable than pure copper. Use ideas
about the structure of metals and alloys to explain why bronze is less malleable than pure copper.
Electrolysis-Past papers questions
15. An electric current can be generated by a simple electrochemical cell such as the one
shown.
V
magnesium copper
Electrolyte
(magnesium sulphate)
(a) Explain why the flow of electrons is in the direction shown in the diagram. [2]
(b) Suggest why silver nitrate would not be a good electrolyte to use in this cell. [1]