Ch 6 Electrochemistry
Answer for Learner’s book Questions:
Questions [Ch 6.1]
1).
[a]. i, iii, iv and v conduct electricity.
[b]. iii and v are electrolytes (aqueous solutions of ionic compounds).
2).
[a]. The ionic solid does not conduct as the ions present cannot move about (they
can only vibrate at fixed positions).
[b]. Melt it or dissolve it in water.
3). When a metal conducts electricity it is the delocalised electrons present in the
structure that move through the metal to carry the charge / in aqueous solutions of
ionic compounds it is the ions present that move to carry the charge.
Experimental skills 6.1
1). Depends on the equipment available but a reliable power pack to adjust the
voltage applied is useful / use of an ammeter rather than a light bulb to detect flow
of current.
2). The electrodes would need to be thoroughly cleaned with sandpaper / washed in
propanone and then dried / weigh the electrodes on as accurate a balance as is
available.
Questions [Ch 6.2]
4).
[a]. potassium at cathode and chlorine at anode
[b]. hydrogen at cathode and chlorine at anode
5). metal is formed at the cathode and a non-metal at the anode
6).
[a]. the object to be plated is made the cathode
[b]. copper(II) sulfate solution
7).
[a]. 2Br−(l) → Br2 (g) + 2e−
[b]. because the lead ions have gained electrons
8). steam-reforming of methane (natural gas)
9). electrolysis of water using electricity generated by solar or wind power
10). 2H2(g) → 4H+(aq) + 4e−
Exam-style questions
1). C
2). A
3).
[a]. B
[b]. E
[c]. F
[d]. D
[e]. C
4).
[a].
(i). cathode
(ii). electrolyte
[b]. arrows pointing (clockwise) away from negative and towards positive
[c]. dilute sulfuric acid
[d]. carbon or platinum
5).
[a].
(i). cathode gains in mass
(ii). anode does not change
[b]. the blue colour would fade to colourless
[c]. 4OH− → O2 + 2H2O + 4e−
[d].
(i). the anode would lose mass / copper anode dissolves to form ions ;
cathode increases in mass / copper deposited on cathode;
(ii). the solution colour would not change / concentration of copper ions in
solution remains the same ;
[e]. movement of copper ions ; from anode to cathode ;
Answer for Workbook Questions:
Exercise 6.1
1).
[a].
[b]. graphite and platinum
[c]. A–3, B–1, C–2, D–4
2).
Exercise 6.2
3).
[a]. chromate ions
[b]. Chromate ions are negatively charged and so move towards (are attracted to)
the positive electrode.
[c].
Anions: chromate (CrO42–) and sulfate (SO42–)
Cations: potassium (K+) and copper (Cu2+)
[d]. A blue colour moves towards negative (Cu2+ ions), and a yellow colour moves
towards positive (CrO42– ions).
4). During electrolysis, ionic compounds are decomposed by the passage of an
electric current. For this to happen, the compound must be either molten or in
solution in water. Electrolysis can occur when an electric current passes through
a molten electrolyte. The two rods dipping into the electrolyte are called
the electrodes. In this situation, metals are deposited at the cathode and
nonmetals are formed at the anode. When the ionic compound is dissolved in water,
the electrolysis can be more complex. Generally, during electrolysis, positive ions
move towards the cathode and negative ions move towards the anode. At the
negative electrode (cathode) the metal or hydrogen ions gain electrons and form
metal atoms or hydrogen molecules. At the positive electrode, (anode) non-metals
are formed as their ions or hydroxide ions from the water lose electrons.
Exercise 6.3
5).
6).
[a]. H2(g) ➞ 2H+(aq) + 2e–
[b]. O2(g) + 4H+(aq) + 4e– ➞ 2H2O(l)
[c]. 2H2(g) + O2(g) ➞ 2H2O(l)
[d]. The only waste product is non-polluting water / they do not need recharging /
they are more efficient than a petrol engine.
[e]. needs to be an increased availability of hydrogen refuelling stations / needs to
be a move to ‘greener’ sustainable sources of hydrogen rather than from a fossil fuel
source
Exercise 6.4
7).
[a].
[b]. copper
[c]. copper(II) sulfate (or copper(II) chloride / copper(II) nitrate)
[d]. The anode dissolves away, and a sludge forms below it.
[e]. To protect the object from corrosion / for decorative purposes.
8).
[a]. copper(II) chloride ➞ copper + chlorine
CuCl2 (aq) ➞ Cu(s) + Cl2 (g)
[b]. The gas will bleach moist litmus paper.
[c]. The reaction is endothermic / electrical energy is being used to decompose
the compound.
9).
[a].
(i). cathode: Cu2+(aq) + 2e– ➞ Cu(s)
(ii). anode: Cu(s) ➞ Cu2+(aq) + 2e–
b).
(i). Change in mass at cathode: mass increases as copper deposited
(ii). Change in mass at anode: mass decreases as copper dissolves away
from anode
c). The blue colour is due to the copper ions present in the solution / the copper ions
discharged at the cathode are replaced by those dissolving into solution at the anode
/ so the colour does not fade.