Electrolysis

Electrolysis

1. What is electrolysis?

   • Electrolysis is the breaking down of a compound using electrical energy
   • The electricity used comes from a direct current source.
     • A battery
     • Thermocouples
     • Solar cells
   • It requires a liquid to conduct the electricity, called the electrolyte
     • The electricity is applied to the electrolyte by two electrodes
       • The electrode contains the compound, which is broken down into its component parts
         • The component parts are released as atoms or molecules
           • Often as a gas
   • The main components required for electrolysis are;
     • An electrolyte
       • A substance containing free ions, which are the carriers of the electric current
       • If the ions are not mobile, electrolysis cannot take place
     • A direct current supply
       • Provides the necessary energy to create or discharge the ions in the electrode.
     • Two electrodes
       • An electrical conductor which provides the physical interference between the electrical circuit

2. Electrolysis; Hydrochloric Acid

   • The electrolyte is a dilute solution of hydrochloric acid
   • Applying a direct current to the electrolyte causes the hydrochloric acid to decompose into its two component parts
     • Hydrogen gas
     • Chlorine gas
   • The gases bubble through the solution and can be collected at the electrodes.