An electric current
is the flow of electrons or ions. Covalent compounds can not conduct
electricity because they make bonds by sharing electrons which means
that they don't have any charge carriers that are free to move.
Electrolytes are
liquids that conduct electricity:
Telling the
difference between electrolytes and non-electrolytes:
When you place a
conductivity probe in an electrolyte, the current flows through the
circuit so you can measure its conductivity. When you place a
conductivity probe in a non-electrolyte, no currents flow so the
reading would be zero conductivity.
Another way of
determining would be setting up an electrolytic cell, if the
substance will undergo electrolysis then it is an electrolyte.
Electrolysis is when
an electric current is passed through an ionic substance that's
molten or in solution and it breaks down into a new substance(s). It
is free electrons which conduct the electricity.
Example of
Electrolysis is Molten Lead (II)Bromide or PbBr2
Ion present: Pb2+
and Br-
Ion attraction to
electrode:
Cathode (-) Pb2+
Anode (+) Br-
Half Equations of
the electrodes show what is happening at each stage:
Cathode: Pb2+
+ 2e- → Pb
Anode: 2Br- → Br2
+ 2e-
Electrolysis of
aqueous solutions:
As well as the ions
from the ionic compound there will be hydrogen ion (H+) and
hydroxide ion (OH-) from the water
At the Cathode H+
ions or metal ions (if the metal is less reactive than hydrogen) are
present
At the Anode OH-
ions or a halide ion when they are in the experiment are present.
Examples:
Sulfuric Acid-
Contains three
ions: SO42-, H+ and OH-
Cathode (-)
Hydrogen gas is produced:
half equation
is 2H+ + 2e- → H2
Anode (+)
Oxygen and water is produced:
half equation
is 4OH- → 2H2O + 4e-
Copper (II)
Sulfate-
Contains three
ions: Cu2+, SO42-, H+ and OH-
Cathode (-)
Copper metal is produced:
half equation
is Cu2+ +2e- → Cu
Anode (+)
Oxygen and water is produced:
half equation
is 4OH- → 2H2O + 4e-
Coulombs and
Faradays are amounts of electricity:
-
one amp flowing for a second means a charge of one coloumb has moved
-
Q (charge) = I (Current) x t (Time)
-
96000 coulombs is called one faraday
-
One faraday (F) contains one mole of electrons