Chemical Effect of Electric Current, An Analysis with Applications.
The Chemical Effect of Electric Current is a phenomenon in which a flow of electric current through a solution or a molten electrolyte causes a chemical reaction to occur. This phenomenon is known as electrolysis.
Chemical Effect of Electric Current,
The Chemical Effect of Electric Current is a phenomenon in which a flow of electric current through a solution or a molten electrolyte causes a chemical reaction to occur. This phenomenon is known as electrolysis.
Electrolysis involves the decomposition of an electrolyte by the passage of Electric Current through it. The electrolyte is a substance that conducts electricity in the molten state or when dissolved in water.
During electrolysis, the positive ions in the electrolyte move towards the negative electrode, called the cathode, while the negative ions move towards the positive electrode, called the anode. As the ions reach the electrodes, they gain or lose electrons and undergo chemical changes, resulting in the formation of new substances.
For example, during the electrolysis of water, the water molecules are decomposed into hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. At the cathode, hydrogen ions (H+) are reduced to hydrogen gas (H2), while at the anode, oxygen ions (O2-) are oxidized to oxygen gas (O2).
Faraday’s law of electrolysis.
Faraday’s First Law of Electrolysis
Faraday’s First Law of Electrolysis states that the amount of substance liberated or deposited at an electrode is directly proportional to the amount of electricity passed through the electrolyte.
The equation for Faraday’s First Law;
W ∝ Q
=>W ∝ It
=>W=kIt
Where:
- W = Weight of substance liberated or deposited
- Q = quantity of electricity passed
- I=is current,
- t=time for which current flows,
- k=proportional constant.
Faraday’s Second Law of Electrolysis;
Faraday’s Second Law of Electrolysis states that when the same quantity of electricity is passed through different electrolytes, the amounts of the substances liberated or deposited at the electrodes are proportional to their equivalent weights.
The equation for Faraday’s Second Law;
m1 / m2 = E1 / E2
Where:
- m1 and m2 are the masses of the substances liberated or deposited
- E1 and E2 are the equivalent weights of the substances.
Both laws are important in understanding and predicting the outcomes of electrolysis reactions.
Some Important Applications of the Chemical Effects of Electric Current:
1. Electrolysis:
The process of electrolysis is used in various industrial processes such as the production of aluminium, chlorine, and sodium hydroxide. For example, the mineral bauxite is first processed to extract aluminium oxide in aluminium production. The aluminium oxide is then dissolved in a molten electrolyte, and an electric current is passed through the solution. The aluminium ions are reduced and deposited onto the cathode, while the oxygen ions combine to form oxygen gas at the anode.
2. PH changes:
The process of electrolysis can also result in changes in the pH of the electrolyte. For example, during the electrolysis of water, the hydrogen ions (H+) are reduced at the cathode, which causes the pH to become more alkaline. Conversely, the oxygen ions (O2-) are oxidized at the anode, which causes the pH to become more acidic.
3. Electroplating:
As mentioned earlier, electroplating is a common application of the chemical effects of electric current. This process is used to apply a thin layer of metal onto a surface to improve its properties. For example, electroplating is used to produce shiny, corrosion-resistant surfaces on jewellery, automotive parts, and electronic components.
4. Chlorine production:
Chlorine gas is an important industrial chemical used to produce many products such as bleach, PVC, and solvents. The chemical effect of electric current is used to produce chlorine gas from saltwater in a process called electrolysis. During electrolysis, an electric current is passed through a solution of saltwater, and chlorine gas is produced at the anode.
5. Aluminium production:
Aluminium is an important metal that is used in a wide variety of products, including aircraft, packaging materials, and construction materials. The chemical effect of electric current is used to produce aluminium from bauxite ore in a process called the Hall-Héroult process. In this process, alumina is dissolved in a molten electrolyte, and an electric current is passed through the solution to produce aluminium at the cathode.
6. Battery technology:
Batteries rely on the chemical effects of electric current to store and release energy. When a battery is charged, an electric current is passed through the battery, causing a chemical reaction to occur that stores energy. When the battery is discharged, the chemical reaction is reversed, and the stored energy is released as an electric current.
7. Water treatment:
The chemical effects of electric current are also used in water treatment processes to remove impurities from water. In electrocoagulation, an electric current is passed through water containing impurities, causing the impurities to coagulate and settle out of the water.
Chemical Effects of Electric Current: FAQs
Q: What is meant by the chemical effects of electric current?
A: The chemical effects of electric current refer to the chemical changes that take place when an electric current is passed through a substance, resulting in the formation of new chemical compounds.
Q: What are the two types of chemical effects of electric current?
A: The two types of chemical effects of electric current are electrolysis and electroplating.
Q: What is electrolysis?
A: Electrolysis is the process by which an electric current is passed through a substance, causing it to break down into its constituent elements or ions.
Q: What is electroplating?
A: Electroplating is the process by which a metal is deposited on an object by using an electric current. The object to be plated is placed in a solution containing ions of the metal to be deposited, and electric current is passed through the solution, causing the metal ions to be deposited onto the object.
Q: What are some practical applications of electrolysis?
A: Electrolysis has a number of practical applications, including the production of metals such as aluminium and copper, the purification of metals, and the production of chlorine gas and sodium hydroxide.
Q: What are some practical applications of electroplating?
A: Electroplating has a number of practical applications, including the production of decorative coatings on jewellery and other objects, the production of corrosion-resistant coatings on metal objects, and the production of printed circuit boards.
Q: What is Faraday’s law of electrolysis?
A: Faraday’s law of electrolysis states that the amount of a substance produced at an electrode during electrolysis is directly proportional to the amount of electricity that passes through the electrode.
Q: What is an electrolyte?
A: An electrolyte is a substance that conducts electricity when dissolved in water or melted. During electrolysis, the electrolyte is broken down into its constituent ions, which are then attracted to the electrodes.
Q: What is an anode?
A: An anode is an electrode in an electrolytic cell where oxidation occurs. During electrolysis, the anode attracts negatively charged ions (anions).
Q: What is a cathode?
A: A cathode is the electrode in an electrolytic cell where reduction occurs. During electrolysis, the cathode attracts positively charged ions (cations).
Chemical Effects of Electric Current: Conclusion
Overall, the Chemical Effects of Electric Current have many important applications in industry and technology and are essential for many industrial processes and products. Overall, the chemical effects of electric current have many practical applications in industry and technology, and a thorough understanding of these effects is important for the design and optimization of electrochemical processes.
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