electrolytic

(adjective)

Of, relating to, or using electrolysis.

Related Terms

Examples of electrolytic in the following topics:

  • Electrolyte and Nonelectrolyte Solutions

    • Electrolyte solutions are normally formed when a salt is placed into a solvent such as water.
    • Therefore, compounds that readily form ions in solution are known as strong electrolytes.
    • (By this reasoning, all strong acids and strong bases are strong electrolytes.)
    • A strong electrolyte will completely dissociate into its component ions in solution; a weak electrolyte, on the other hand, will remain mostly undissociated in solution.
    • An example of a weak electrolyte is acetic acid, which is also a weak acid.

  • Electrolytic Cells

    • Electrolysis uses electrical energy to induce a chemical reaction, which then takes place in an electrolytic cell.
    • An electrolyte: a substance containing free ions that carry electric current.
    • A direct current (DC) supply: provides the energy necessary to create or discharge the ions in the electrolyte.
    • Two electrodes: an electrical conductor that provides the physical interface between the electrical circuit providing the energy and the electrolyte.
    • Choosing a suitable electrode depends on the chemical reactivity between the electrode and electrolyte, and the cost of manufacture.

  • Vapor Pressure of Electrolyte Solutions

    • The vapor pressure of an electrolytic solution is dependent on the ratio of solute to solvent molecules in a solution.
    • A simple example of an electrolyte solution is sodium chloride in water.
    • In the presence of water, solid sodium chloride dissociates as it is dissolved, forming an electrolyte solution:
    • Glucose is a non-electrolyte and does not break apart.
    • Compare the relative vapor pressures of a pure solvent and an electrolyte solution composed of the same solvent

  • Electrolysis of Water

    • Pure water cannot undergo significant electrolysis without an electrolyte, such as an acid or a base.
    • Pure water cannot undergo significant electrolysis without adding an electrolyte.
    • If the object is to produce hydrogen and oxygen, the added electrolyte must be energetically more difficult to oxidize or reduce than water itself.
    • Recall the properties of an electrolyte that enable the electrolysis of water

  • Electrolytic Properties

    • When electrodes are placed in an electrolyte solution and a voltage is applied, the electrolyte will conduct electricity.
    • When electrodes are placed in an electrolyte solution and a voltage is applied, the electrolyte will conduct electricity.
    • As a result, a negative charge cloud develops in the electrolyte around the cathode, and a positive charge develops around the anode.
    • The ions in the electrolyte neutralize these charges, enabling the electrons to keep flowing and the reactions to continue.
    • In other systems, the electrode reactions can involve electrode metal as well as electrolyte ions.

  • Medical Solutions: Colligative Properties

    • These electrolytic solutions share the same colligative properties as chemical solutions.
    • Most commonly, saline is used in intravenous (IV) therapy, which provides water and electrolytes to a patient.
    • The electrolyte-water ratio that regulates many of the body's functions is part of this.
    • Plasma osmolarity is the measure of the body's electrolyte-water balance.
    • There are two common measurements used to determine the amount of electrolyte in a solution.

  • Dry Cell Battery

    • A dry-cell battery uses an immobilized electrolyte that minimizes moisture and allows for superior portability.
    • A dry cell has the electrolyte immobilized as a paste, with only enough moisture in it to allow current to flow.
    • The electrolyte is a paste of ammonium chloride (NH4Cl).
    • Alkaline batteries are almost the same as zinc-carbon batteries, except that the electrolyte used is potassium hydroxide (KOH) rather than ammonium chloride.
    • Between them, the electrolyte paste works as the battery.

  • Predicting the Products of Electrolysis

    • An electrolyte: a substance containing free ions, which are the carriers of electric current in the electrolyte.
    • A direct current (DC) supply: provides the energy necessary to create or discharge the ions in the electrolyte.
    • The required products of electrolysis are in a different physical state from the electrolyte and can be removed by some physical processes.
    • Those atoms that gain or lose electrons become charged ions that pass into the electrolyte.
    • Those ions that gain or lose electrons to become uncharged atoms separate from the electrolyte.

  • Electrochemical Cell Notation

    • ., solid electrode | liquid with electrolyte).
    • If the electrolytes in the cells are not at standard conditions, concentrations and/or pressure, they are included in parentheses with the phase notation.
    • If no concentration or pressure is noted, the electrolytes in the cells are assumed to be at standard conditions (1.00 M or 1.00 atm and 298 K).

  • Molecular, Ionic, and Complete Ionic Equations

    • In the molecular equation, electrolytes are written as salts followed by (aq) to indicate that the electrolytes are completely dissociated into their constituent ions; the (aq) designation indicates that the ions are in aqueous solution.
    • Because the reactants and one of the products are strong electrolytes, it is possible to write them out in terms of their constituent ions.