Electrolysis

1 Define electrolysis as the decomposition of an ionic compound, when molten or in aqueous solution, by the passage of an electric current

8 Describe the transfer of charge during electrolysis to include: (a) the movement of electrons in the external circuit (b) the loss or gain of electrons at the electrodes (c) the movement of ions in the electrolyte

2 Identify in simple electrolytic cells: (a) the anode as the positive electrode (b) the cathode as the negative electrode (c) the electrolyte as the molten or aqueous substance that undergoes electrolysis

3 Identify the products formed at the electrodes and describe the observations made during the electrolysis of: (a) molten lead(II) bromide (b) concentrated aqueous sodium chloride (c) dilute sulfuric acid using inert electrodes made of platinum or carbon/graphite

9 Identify the products formed at the electrodes and describe the observations made during the electrolysis of aqueous copper(II) sulfate using inert carbon/graphite electrodes and when using copper electrodes