Electrolysis

[xorichard]

Hi. I would like some assistance relating to electrolysis as i do not know a thing thank you!

[sweetcheeks]

What specifically do you need help with? What knowledge do you have of redox and electrochemistry?

[RuiAce]

In the most elementary possible way, electrolysis is a process where electrical energy is converted into chemical energy, that is, through electricity we force a chemical reaction to occur. A system that does this is known as an electrolytic cell, which functionally works in the exact opposite way to a galvanic cell.

The definitions of the anode and cathode are the same - the anode is where reduction occurs (something gains electrons), and the cathode is where oxidation occurs (something loses electrons).

Otherwise, more info needs to be provided on confusion.

[xorichard]

Hey, thanks for the overview of electrolysis! But i am havng trouble identifying which half reactions are undergoing reduction and oxidation. A friend taught me a way to do it, but confused as i think that dealt with aqueous solutions. Thanks

[RuiAce]

Hey, thanks for the overview of electrolysis! But i am havng trouble identifying which half reactions are undergoing reduction and oxidation. A friend taught me a way to do it, but confused as i think that dealt with aqueous solutions. Thanks

Aqueous solutions are no different to anything else in determining the relevant half equations.

For a galvanic cell, we know that the more reactive substance undergoes oxidation, and the less reactive one will be reduced. On the table of standard reduction potentials, this means that if the relevant half equation is further at the top, it will be the oxidation one.

Since an electrolytic cell reverses this, the one further at the top will be the one undergoing reduction instead.

And you know which "half reaction is oxidation/reduction" because oxidation is loss; reduction is gain.

[xorichard]

OHHHHH okay thank you heaps! was confused because i was taught to split the table into half and reverse stuff and all. There's an easy question i kind of need assistance on because im dumb, it states, "For the electrolysis of a neutral nickel (II) chloride aqueous solution using inert platnium electrodes, predict the electrode reactions. Give the electrode half reactions and the overall cell reaction." Thanks again in advanced!!

[RuiAce]

OHHHHH okay thank you heaps! was confused because i was taught to split the table into half and reverse stuff and all. There's an easy question i kind of need assistance on because im dumb, it states, "For the electrolysis of a neutral nickel (II) chloride aqueous solution using inert platnium electrodes, predict the electrode reactions. Give the electrode half reactions and the overall cell reaction." Thanks again in advanced!!

If we are trying to decompose NiCl₂ through electrolysis, it makes sense to say that the nickel ions will be reduced and the chloride ions will be oxidised.

Ni²⁺ + 2 e^- -> Ni_(s)
2 Cl^- -> Cl_2(g) + 2 e^-

The platinum electrode exists simply to ensure the reaction happens.

Chlorine gas is the product and not aqueous solution because this is electrolysis - it will find a way to escape.

[xorichard]

Thank you, boss!! Greatly appreciate your assistance today, helped me a lot!