Electrode: A conductor in
the form of a wire, rod or plate which carry electric current in and out of an
electrolyte during electrolysis.
Electrolyte: A substances
that can conduct electricity in molten state or aqueous solution and is
decomposed by electric current.
Non-electrolyte: A
substances that cannot conduct electricity in molten state or aqueous solution.
Anion: A negatively-charged
ion.
Cation: A positively-charged
ion.
Anode: An electrode which is
connected to the positive terminal of the source of electricity during
electrolysis. (donation of electrons)
Cathode: An electrode which
is connected to the negative terminal of the source of electricity during
electrolysis. (acceptance of electrons)
Electrolysis: The process
whereby a compound is broken down into its constituent elements when
electricity is passed through an electrolyte.
Aqueous solution: A solution
produced when a compound is dissolved in water.
Electrochemical series: An
arrangement of metals based on the tendency of each metal to donate electrons.
The lower the position of an
ion in the electrochemical series, the higher is the tendency of the ions to be
discharged.
Purification of metals: The
process of obtaining a pure metal from an impure metal through electrolysis.
E.g. Impure copper can be purified
through electrolysis when the impure copper is used as the anode and a pure
copper is used as the cathode.
Electroplating of metals:
The process of coating a layer of metal onto another metal using electrolysis.
Simple voltaic acid: A cell
that converts chemical energy to electrical energy. The chemical reactions in a simple voltaic cell produce electricity. No
current flow will flow if both electrodes are made of the same metal.
Electropositivity: A
measurement of the ability of an atom to donate electrons to form a positive
ion.
Displacement reaction: A
reaction where a more electropositive metal displace another metal from its
salt solution. A metal which has a higher
position in the electrochemical series is able to displace the metal below it
in the series from their salt solutions.
