AQA · Chemistry · 8462

GCSE Chemistry: The process of electrolysis

Chemical changes · AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462), specification point 4.4.3.1. Cards are generated from the exam board's own specification for "The process of electrolysis", and every card links back to the page it came from. Specification © AQA — used with attribution.

11 flashcards · Free to study · No account needed

Study this deck

Preparing your cards…

All questions and answers

Read through the full deck, or practise recalling each answer above.

  1. What is an electrolyte?

    Show answer

    A liquid or solution containing free-moving ions (a melted or dissolved ionic compound) that can conduct electricity.

  2. Why can a molten ionic compound conduct electricity?

    Show answer

    When melted, the ions are free to move about within the liquid and carry charge.

  3. Why can a solid ionic compound not conduct electricity?

    Show answer

    Its ions are fixed in place and cannot move; they only become free to move when the compound is melted or dissolved.

  4. What is the name of the negative electrode in electrolysis?

    Show answer

    The cathode.

  5. What is the name of the positive electrode in electrolysis?

    Show answer

    The anode.

  6. During electrolysis, positively charged ions move to the ?.

    Show answer

    cathode

  7. During electrolysis, negatively charged ions move to the ?.

    Show answer

    anode

  8. Why do positive ions move to the cathode during electrolysis?

    Show answer

    The cathode is the negative electrode, so it attracts positively charged ions (opposite charges attract).

  9. What happens to ions when they reach the electrodes during electrolysis?

    Show answer

    They are discharged, producing elements.

  10. Define electrolysis.

    Show answer

    Passing an electric current through an electrolyte so that ions move to the electrodes and are discharged, producing elements.

  11. What type of equation shows the reaction at one electrode during electrolysis?

    Show answer

    A half equation.

Want to create your own cards? Create a free account. AI generation uses credits.