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Module C2
Splitting up ionic compounds (F) Molten compounds Ionic solutions & discharge rules Q = It and OILRIG Brine and purifying copper
- + - + - + - + - + - +
+
Ionic compounds (eg sodium chloride) are made from: POSTIVE IONS (atoms which LOST negative electrons) NEGATIVE IONS (atoms which GAINED negative electrons) As these ions have OPPOSITE CHARGES they attract each other strongly to form IONIC BONDS
MELT
- + + - + + -
DISSOLVE
+ + - + +
- + - + - + - + - + - +
+
+ -
H2O
800C
20C
+
ELECTRON
Metal ELECTRODE
Battery pulls electrons off one electrode and pushes them onto the other
+
MOLTEN IONIC COMPOUND + -
+ ANODE
- CATHODE
When the battery is switched on, the + IONS move to the CATHODE the IONS move to the + ANODE
This gives a way to SPLIT UP IONIC COMPOUNDS: ELECTROLYSIS
- =
Cl-
Cl
Cl2 molecule
+
- chloride IONS lose their extra electrons and turn into neutral chlorine ATOMS
Cl ClClCl
ClCl ClCl
At ANODE: Clthen: Cl + Cl
e- + Cl Cl2 (gas)
Example 1: Splitting up MOLTEN SODIUM CHLORIDE (salt) + = Na+ sodium ION, missing1 electron
Na sodium ATOM, NEUTRAL
+
+ sodium IONS gain an extra electron and turn into neutral sodium ATOMS
Na Na+ Na Na+
Na Na+ Na Na+
At CATHODE: Na+ + e-
Na
SODIUM metal Na
Na+
At CATHODE: Na+ + e-
Na
Example 2: Splitting up MOLTEN LEAD BROMIDE PbBr2 + ANODE BROMINE gas Br2
Br-
- CATHODE
ELECTRONS
LEAD Metal Pb
Pb2+
Pb
H2O H+ + OHSo, in an ionic solution (eg sodium chloride solution), there will be FOUR types of ion present: TWO from the ionic compound and TWO from the water (H+ SODIUM CHLORIDE SOLUTION NaCl (aq)
H+ OHNa+ ClOHH+ Na+ ClH+ OHNa+ Cl+ OH-)
IONIC SOLUTION
H+ OH-
ClNa+
OHH+
Na+ Cl-
H+ Na+
OHCl-
Which ions gain or lose electrons (get discharged) and which stay in solution?
which ions?
As HYDROGEN is LESS REACTIVE than SODIUM, it is discharged. The sodium ions stay in solution.
Na+
H+ Na+
H H+
H2
Cl
+
H
O
Cl Cl-
O H
ClCl
O
ClCl ClCl
O H
If the ion is a HALOGEN (Cl, Br, I) it is discharged and chlorine (or Br or I) is given off and the OH - ions stay in solution
which ions?
At ANODE:
2Cl-
2e- + Cl2
Oxygen atom
+
NO3H NO3-
O H
NO3-
NO3H
If the ion is NOT a halogen (eg nitrate, sulphate etc) then the HYDROXIDE ions from the water are discharged to make WATER and OXYGEN gas. The other ions stay in solution.
O H
which ions?
At CATHODE: 4OH-
2H2O + O2 + 4e-
- CATHODE Attracts + ions (Cations) If + ions (metals) are MORE REACTIVE than hydrogen K, Na, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe Then HYDROGEN is produced If + ions (metals) are LESS REACTIVE than hydrogen Cu, Ag, Au Then the METAL is produced
(REACTIVITY: K+ Na+ Ca2+ Mg2+ Al3+ Zn2+ Cu2+ Ag+ Au3+ ) Compound State Ions Cathode (-) potassium molten potassi K+ Clchloride um aluminium molten alumin Al3+ O2oxide ium 2+ Cl- H+ copper solution Cu copper OHchloride sodium solution Na+ Brhydrog bromide H+ OHen silver nitrate solution Ag+ NO3- H+ silver OHpotassium solution K+ Cl- H+ hydrog chloride en OHzinc sulphate solution Zn+ SO42- H+ hydrog en + Na+ OH2 (REACTIVITY: K Ca + Mg2+ Al3+ Zn2+
Fe3+ H+ Anode (+) chlorin e oxygen chlorin e bromin e oxygen chlorin e oxygen Fe3+ H+
ELECTRONS in electrodes/wires
+ +
OILRIG
Cl-
Cl-
Na+ Na+
Na+ Na+
Cl-
Cl-
-ions LOSING electrons + ions GAINING electrons to become atoms is called to become atoms is called OXIDATION REDUCTION (even though oxygen may not be involved)
INDUSTRIAL USES OF ELECTROLYSIS 1. To extract reactive metals such as ALUMINIUM, sodium, magnesium etc from their compounds. This is EXPENSIVE due to the large amounts of electrical energy needed. Aluminium is extracted from bauxite (Al2O3). 2. Electrolysis of BRINE (salt solution) to produce see below CHLORINE (for disinfectants and plastics) HYDROGEN (for ammonia fertilisers, margarine) SODIUM HYDROXIDE (for soap and cleaning agents)
see be 3. Purifying copper. The copper for wiring etc needs tobelow more pure than that produced in a blast furnace. Electrolysis is used to convert impure copper to pure copper
1.
Hydrogen gas
PURIFYING COPPER
IMPURE COPPER ANODE Copper sulphate CuSO4 solution
Cu2+ Cu2+
Cu
Cu2+
Cu
As the atoms of the impurities are not transported, the copper that builds up on the anode is extremely pure.
Over time, the impure anode dissolves away and the impurities sink to the bottom. The pure cathode grows as more pure copper is deposited on it. Why will the concentration of the solution stay the same?