Electrolysis Chemistry
THE IMPORTANCE OF ELECTROLYSIS IN OUR DAILY LIFE
“Electrolysis is the passage of an electric current through an electric current through an electrolyte with subsequent migration of positively and negatively charged ions to the negative and positive electrodes. “ 1 Electrodes are metals that are capable to conduct electricity through the solution used in electrolysis. During electrolysis, positive and negative electrodes are needed. The positive electrode (anode) experiences oxidation (loses electrons and hydrogen, gains oxygen) , where the negative electrode (cathode) experiences reduction (gains electrons and hydrogen, loses oxygen). In our daily lives, we can see the applications of electrolysis in many ways. The process of electrolysis is used for accumulators (car batteries), electroplating (the covering of another metal surface with another metal), and the manufacturing of many kinds of chemicals such as chlorine, sodium chloride, and bleach. Also, electrolysis is used to extract reactive metals such as aluminium and the purification of copper. With these examples, we can say that electrolysis has many benefits, for example the manufacturing of bleach. Bleach can be used to clean household equipments, and to whiten/lighten or clean stains on white cloth. Other than that, there is also electroplating. Electroplating is where with electrolysis, gives a thin layer of metal to an object, where both the object and the metal are submerged into a chemical solution or electrolyte (in molten or aqueous state) which is capable to conduct an electric current and it becomes waste afterwards. The process of electroplating is applied in the use of car batteries, where the substance, copper (II) sulfate (CuSO4) becomes the waste of the process. CuSO4 is a toxic chemical, where when in contact can cause irritation or itching to the skin. It is usually used as a main ingredient of pesticide, when it is mixed with other chemical
“Electrolysis is the passage of an electric current through an electric current through an electrolyte with subsequent migration of positively and negatively charged ions to the negative and positive electrodes. “ 1 Electrodes are metals that are capable to conduct electricity through the solution used in electrolysis. During electrolysis, positive and negative electrodes are needed. The positive electrode (anode) experiences oxidation (loses electrons and hydrogen, gains oxygen) , where the negative electrode (cathode) experiences reduction (gains electrons and hydrogen, loses oxygen). In our daily lives, we can see the applications of electrolysis in many ways. The process of electrolysis is used for accumulators (car batteries), electroplating (the covering of another metal surface with another metal), and the manufacturing of many kinds of chemicals such as chlorine, sodium chloride, and bleach. Also, electrolysis is used to extract reactive metals such as aluminium and the purification of copper. With these examples, we can say that electrolysis has many benefits, for example the manufacturing of bleach. Bleach can be used to clean household equipments, and to whiten/lighten or clean stains on white cloth. Other than that, there is also electroplating. Electroplating is where with electrolysis, gives a thin layer of metal to an object, where both the object and the metal are submerged into a chemical solution or electrolyte (in molten or aqueous state) which is capable to conduct an electric current and it becomes waste afterwards. The process of electroplating is applied in the use of car batteries, where the substance, copper (II) sulfate (CuSO4) becomes the waste of the process. CuSO4 is a toxic chemical, where when in contact can cause irritation or itching to the skin. It is usually used as a main ingredient of pesticide, when it is mixed with other chemical
Bibliography: Heyworth, Rex M Dr, and J G R Briggs. Chemistry Insights. Singapore: Pearson Education South East Asia, 2007 http://www.google.com http://www.ausetute.com.au/elecysis.html http://www.nmsea.org/Curriculhttp://www.nmsea.org/Curriculum/7_12/electrolysis/electrolysis.htmum/7_12/electrolysis/electrolysis.htm http://www.finishing.com/faqs/howworks.html http://www.dictionary.com