AQA · Chemistry · 8462
GCSE Chemistry: Electrolysis of aqueous solutions
Chemical changes · AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462), specification point 4.4.3.4. Cards are generated from the exam board's own specification for "Electrolysis of aqueous solutions", and every card links back to the page it came from. Specification © AQA — used with attribution.
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What determines which ions are discharged when an aqueous solution is electrolysed with inert electrodes?
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The relative reactivity of the elements involved.
In electrolysis of an aqueous solution, when is hydrogen produced at the cathode?
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When the metal in the solution is more reactive than hydrogen.
In electrolysis of an aqueous solution, which gas is usually produced at the anode?
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Oxygen — unless the solution contains halide ions.
What is produced at the anode when an aqueous halide solution is electrolysed?
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The halogen (e.g. chlorine from chloride ions).
Why can hydrogen and oxygen be discharged during electrolysis of an aqueous solution?
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Water molecules break down into hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions, which can be discharged at the electrodes.
In an aqueous solution, water breaks down into hydrogen ions and ? ions.
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hydroxide
Which electrode is the cathode in electrolysis?
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The negative electrode.
Which electrode is the anode in electrolysis?
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The positive electrode.
What is produced at the cathode when aqueous sodium chloride is electrolysed?
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Hydrogen, because sodium is more reactive than hydrogen.
What is produced at the anode when aqueous copper sulfate is electrolysed with inert electrodes?
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Oxygen, because sulfate is not a halide ion.
Why is copper deposited at the cathode when aqueous copper sulfate is electrolysed?
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Copper is less reactive than hydrogen, so copper ions are discharged instead of hydrogen ions.
Which AQA GCSE Chemistry required practical investigates electrolysis of aqueous solutions?
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Required practical 3, using inert electrodes and developing a hypothesis.
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