New
New
Year 11
Edexcel
Higher

Principles of electrolysis

I can describe electrolysis, and explain how it works using scientific terms.

New
New
Year 11
Edexcel
Higher

Principles of electrolysis

I can describe electrolysis, and explain how it works using scientific terms.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Electrolysis: the process in which an electrolyte is broken down by electricity; it's not a physical separation method.
  2. The cathode is the negative electrode, where positive particles gain electrons.
  3. The anode is the positive electrode, where negative particles lose electrons.
  4. An electrolyte contains freely moving ions, and these are attracted to the charged electrodes.
  5. Electrolysis allowed Davy and Faraday to make their scientific discoveries.

Common misconception

Pupils often confuse key terminology, as many words are similar, and confuse electrolysis with physical methods of separation.

Emphasise the keywords and provide plenty of opportunity for them to be used in the correct context. Compare electrolysis to physical methods of separation, such as filtration, and explain that chemical reactions occur at the electrodes.

Keywords

  • Electrode - a rod of metal or graphite through which an electric current flows in and out of an electrolyte

  • Electrolyte - a liquid or solution that contains freely moving ions

  • Electrolysis - a process that uses electricity to break down a compound

Revisit how a simple electric circuit works before launching into electrolysis and provide pupils with a hands on practical experience.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
What particles are found in the nucleus of an atom?
electrons
Correct answer: neutrons
Correct answer: protons
Q2.
What does the periodic table show?
compounds
Correct answer: elements
mixtures
molecules
chemicals
Q3.
What type of ions do metals typically form?
negative ions
neutral ions
Correct answer: positive ions
Q4.
What is the charge of an electron?
Correct answer: negative
neutral
positive
Q5.
How do non-metals achieve a full outer shell?
by becoming inert
Correct answer: by gaining electrons
by losing electrons
Correct answer: by sharing electrons
by becoming a noble gas
Q6.
What is an ion?
Correct answer: an atom that has lost electrons
an atom that has gained protons
an atom that has lost protons
Correct answer: an atom that has gained electrons

6 Questions

Q1.
What is the role of the cathode in electrolysis?
Correct answer: It is the negative electrode where positive particles gain electrons.
It is the positive electrode where negative particles gain electrons.
It is the positive electrode where positive particles lose electrons.
Q2.
What occurs at the anode during electrolysis?
negative ions gain electrons
Correct answer: negative ions lose electrons
positive ion gain electrons
positive ions lose electrons
Q3.
What does an electrolyte contain?
Correct answer: both positive and negative ions that can move
only negative ions that can move
only positive ions that can move
Q4.
Who formulated the laws of electrolysis?
Isaac Newton
Correct answer: Michael Faraday
Ernest Rutherford
Niels Bohr
Nikola Tesla
Q5.
Why is electrolysis not a physical separation method?
Correct answer: It involves chemical changes driven by electricity.
It involves physical processes like filtration.
It only separates solid particles.
Q6.
Match each keyword to its meaning.
Correct Answer:electrolysis ,a process that uses electricity to breakdown a compound

a process that uses electricity to breakdown a compound

Correct Answer:electric current,a flow of electrical charge

a flow of electrical charge

Correct Answer:electrolyte,a liquid or solution that contains freely moving ions

a liquid or solution that contains freely moving ions

Correct Answer:electrode ,a rod of metal or graphite through which an electric current flows

a rod of metal or graphite through which an electric current flows