Electrolysis

Chemistry (Combined Science) · GCSE · OCR · OCR GCSE Combined Science A (Gateway Science) — Chemistry — Foundation (J250) · Specification point · C3.4 · Chemical reactions

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C3.4 Electrolysis

Summary Decomposition of a liquid during the conduction of electricity is a chemical reaction called electrolysis. This section explores the electrolysis of various molten ionic liquids and aqueous ionic solutions. Underlying knowledge and understanding Learners should be familiar with ionic solutions and solids. Common misconceptions A common misconception is that ionic solutions conduct because of the movement of electrons. Another common misconception is that ionic solids do not conduct electricity because electrons cannot move.

Reference	Mathematical learning outcomes	Maths skills
$CM3.4i$	$arithmetic computation and ratio when determining empirical formulae, balancing equations$	$M1a, M1c$

Learning outcomes	To include	Maths	Working scientifically

Electrolysis (C3.4) | OCR GCSE Combined Science A (Gateway Science) — Chemistry — Foundation (J250) | KnowledgeSet

$C3.4a recall that metals (or hydrogen) are formed at the cathode and non-metals are formed at the anode in electrolysis using inert electrodes$	$the terms cations and anions$		$WS1.4a$
$C3.4b predict the products of electrolysis of binary ionic compounds in the molten state$	$compounds such as NaCl$	$M1a, M1c$	$WS1.2a, WS1.2b, WS1.2c, WS1.4a, WS2a, WS2b$
$C3.4c describe competing reactions in the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of ionic compounds in terms of the different species present$	$the electrolysis of aqueous NaCl and CuSO₄ using inert electrodes$	$M1a, M1c$	$WS1.4a$	$Electrolysis of sodium chloride solution. (PAG C1) Electrolysis of copper sulfate solution. (PAG C1)$
$C3.4d describe electrolysis in terms of the ions present and reactions at the electrodes$	$the equations of the reactions at the electrodes$	$M1a, M1c$
$C3.4e describe the technique of electrolysis using inert and non-inert electrodes$