Electolysis is where we use an electric current to split up an ionic compound that has been dissolved in water.
Our example was sodium chloride solution (salt water)
It contains H+ and OH- ions from the water.
It contains Na+ and Cl- ions from the chlorine.
Two Cl- ions lose 2 electrons at the positive electrode and turn into chlorine gas. It bleached blue litmus paper, turning it white.
The two electrons join up with two H+ ions at the negative electrode to make hydrogen gas.
Na+ and OH- are left behind. This makes sodium hydroxide which is an alkali and turns the universal indicator purple.
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
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