. Give two reasons why graphite (carbon) electrodes are used in electrolysis.
5. You have 2 compounds called X and Y.
X melts at 1200 degrees C and is soluble in water.
Y melts at 156 degrees C and is insoluble in water.
Draw 2 diagrams to show how you could prove which of these substances is an electrolyte or a non- electrolyte.
How would you know which was an electrolyte and which was not.
What must a substance contain to be an electrolyte?
1. Graphite (carbon) electrodes are used in electrolysis because they have high electrical conductivity. This means that they allow a large amount of electric current to pass through them without significant resistance. As a result, graphite electrodes ensure efficient transfer of electrons during electrolysis.
2. Another reason for using graphite electrodes in electrolysis is their chemical stability. Graphite is a highly stable and inert material, which means that it does not react easily with other substances. This is important because the electrodes need to remain intact and maintain their integrity during the electrolytic process.
To prove whether a substance is an electrolyte or a non-electrolyte, you can perform a simple conductivity experiment using two electrodes connected to a power source and a conductivity meter or light bulb.
1. For substance X (which is soluble in water), you can set up an electrolysis cell by connecting two graphite electrodes to a power source. Then, dissolve a sample of substance X in water and fill the electrolysis cell with this solution. Turn on the power source, and if the conductivity meter shows an increase in conductivity or if the light bulb lights up, this indicates that substance X is an electrolyte.
2. For substance Y (which is insoluble in water), you will need to perform another test called the "molten state electrolysis." In this case, you can melt substance Y, preferably using a Bunsen burner or a suitable heating apparatus. Once Y is in its molten state, insert two graphite electrodes into the molten substance and connect them to the power source. If the conductivity meter shows an increase or if the light bulb lights up, this suggests that substance Y is an electrolyte.
To determine whether a substance is an electrolyte, it must contain ions that can carry electric charge. In other words, it needs to dissociate or ionize in a solution or in a molten state to produce positively or negatively charged particles. These charged particles, known as ions, are responsible for conducting electricity during the electrolysis process. Substances that do not form ions when dissolved or melted, and therefore do not conduct electricity, are considered non-electrolytes.