Electrolytic Process
In the Electrolysis Process, the exchange of ions takes place by the electric current passing through the circuit. By allowing current to pass through the solution we force cations to get attached to the cathode of the electrolytic cell and anions to get attached to the anode of the electrolytic cell.
We can understand the electrolytic process with the help of NaCl example,
Electrolysis of NaCl Solution
The aqueous solution of NaCl has Na+, Cl–, H+, and OH– ions present in it. Now when the electrodes are introduced to this solution and the electricity is passed through it that allows Na+, and H+, ions to move to the negatively charged electrode, (cathode) and the Cl–, and OH– ions move to the positively charged electrode, (anode).
NaCl ⇌ Na+ + Cl–
H2O ⇌ H+ + OH–
At Cathode:
- Na+ + e– → Na
At Anode:
- 2Cl– → Cl2 + e–
Now as a result of this electrolysis solution the Sodium metal is deposited on the cathode of the electrolytic cell and the chlorine is released at the anode.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis is the process of decomposing the ionic compound into its constituent elements by passing the electric current into the solution of the ionic compound. The concept of electrolysis was first given by the famous scientist of the 19th century Michael Faraday. It is a chemical process that uses electrical energy to bring changes in the chemical reaction. Electrolysis is used to separate components of the ionic compounds.
In this article, we will learn about, electrolysis, its process, faraday’s law of electrolysis and others in detail in this article.