Electrolysis key terms

inert electrode

An electrode that does not participate in the chemical reaction during electrolysis.

aqueous electrolysis

The process of using electricity to drive a chemical reaction in a solution containing ions.

aqueous electrolysis

The process of using electricity to drive a chemical reaction in a solution containing ions.

inert electrode

An electrode that does not participate in the chemical reaction during electrolysis, allowing the reaction to occur without interference.

aqueous electrolysis

The process of electrolysis that occurs in a solution containing water and dissolved ions.

chemical tests

Procedures used to identify the presence of specific substances or ions in a solution.

electrolysis

The splitting up of an ionic compound using electricity. In Electrolysis of aqueous solutions, this term helps explain compare products from electrolysis of molten and aqueous ionic compounds for AQA GCSE Chemistry 8462 Unit 4.4.

aqueous solution

A solution in which water is the solvent, containing ions from the ionic compound and hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions from water.

half equation

A representation of a chemical reaction that shows either the reduction or oxidation process occurring at an electrode.

cathode

The negative electrode in electrolysis where reduction occurs and positive ions gain electrons.

half equation

A representation of the reduction or oxidation process occurring at an electrode during electrolysis.

anode

The positive electrode in electrolysis where oxidation occurs and negative ions lose electrons.

Cathode

The electrode at which reduction occurs during electrolysis, where positive ions gain electrons.

Reduction

The gain of electrons by an ion or molecule, occurring at the cathode in electrolysis. In Representation of reactions at electrodes as half equations (HT only), this term helps explain (HT only) Explain that reduction happens at the cathode because positive ions gain electrons for AQA GCSE Chemistry 8462 Unit 4.4.

Anode

The electrode in an electrolytic cell where oxidation occurs and negative ions lose electrons.

Oxidation

The loss of electrons by an ion or atom, occurring at the anode during electrolysis. In Representation of reactions at electrodes as half equations (HT only), this term helps explain (HT only) Explain that oxidation happens at the anode because negative ions lose electrons for AQA GCSE Chemistry 8462 Unit 4.4.

half equation

A representation of a reaction at an electrode during electrolysis, showing the transfer of electrons.

balancing charge

The process of ensuring that the total charge is the same on both sides of a half equation in electrolysis.

half equation

A representation of a chemical reaction at an electrode showing the gain or loss of electrons.

electrode

A conductor through which electricity enters or leaves an electrolyte during electrolysis.

cathode half equation

A half equation that represents the reduction process occurring at the cathode during electrolysis.

anode half equation

A half equation that represents the oxidation process occurring at the anode during electrolysis.

half equation

A representation of a chemical reaction at an electrode, showing the gain or loss of electrons.

electrolysis

The process of splitting up an ionic compound using electricity. In Representation of reactions at electrodes as half equations (HT only), this term helps explain (HT only) Link half equations to observed products in molten and aqueous electrolysis for AQA GCSE Chemistry 8462 Unit 4.4.