Electrolysis

Electrolytes- Electrolytes are the materials which allow electric current to pass through them when in molten state and goes for chemical decomposition. For example; acids, bases, and salts.


Strong Electrolytes – These are the types of electrolytes which fully decomposes into ions in a solution. Some of the examples are – NaCl, KCl, HCl, NaOH etc

Weak Electrolytes – These electrolytes only partially dissociates in solution. For example – CH3COOOH, H2CO3, HCN, ZnCl2, NH4OH

Electrodes – In order to pass electric current through an electrolytes in molten state two rods or plates are required to connect with poles of a battery. These rods or poles are called electrodes.

Anode – The electrode attached to the positive terminal of battery is called anode.

Cathode – The electrode attached to the negative terminal of the battery is called Cathode.

Example – Electrolysis of Molten NaCl
At Anode – CL- - e ====== Cl; Cl + Cl =========== Cl2

At Cathode Na+ + e === Na

So Cl2 gas occurs at anode while Na at Cathode.