Edexcel GCSE Combined Science Chemistry 1SC0
Key Concepts in Chemistry
States of Matter and Mixtures
Chemical Changes
Extracting Metals and Equilibria
Groups in the Periodic Table
Rates of Reaction and Energy Changes
Fuels and Earth Science
Chemical Changes
Electrolytes and what electrolysis is
- 3 things to know
- Paper 3
Overview
What an electrolyte is and why molten or dissolved ionic compounds conduct while solids do not, electrolysis as decomposition by electrical energy, why a direct current is used, and the electrodes.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Explain why molten sodium chloride conducts electricity.
Explain why copper chloride solution conducts electricity but sugar solution does not.
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Define the term electrolyte.
Model answer
An electrolyte is an ionic compound that is molten or dissolved in water.
- 2
Explain why solid sodium chloride does not conduct electricity.
Model answer
Its ions are held in fixed positions in the lattice and cannot move.
- 3
Explain why molten sodium chloride conducts electricity.
Model answer
Melting frees the ions so that they can move and carry charge.
- 4
State the two ways in which an ionic compound can be turned into an electrolyte.
Model answer
It can be melted or dissolved in water.
- 5
Explain why copper chloride solution conducts electricity but sugar solution does not.
Model answer
Copper chloride separates into free ions in water, while sugar dissolves as uncharged molecules.
- 6
Describe what is meant by electrolysis.
Model answer
Electrolysis is the decomposition of an electrolyte using electrical energy.
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