Electrochemistry and electrolysis.

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Electrochemistry

USING an electric current to produce chemical changes is called electrolysis. It is often used to purify metals and other substances. An electric circuit is set up using two electrodes, an electrolyte (a liquid containing ions), and a source of electricity. When the electricity is on, ions in the electrolyte move towards the electrodes. There, they gain or lose electrons, making them – and the electrodes – chemically different.

Chemical changes can also produce electricity. A battery consists of an electrolyte between two different metal electrodes. Chemical reactions occur between the electrodes and the ions in the electrolyte, making electrons flow.

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PURIFYING COPPER

If a current is passed through copper sulphate solution, positive copper ions move from the impure copper anode to the cathode, where they are deposited as pure copper metal.

Electrolysis

Electrolysis involves the input of a direct electric current, via electrodes, to produce chemical change in an electrolyte. Any electrolyte by definition contains ions that are free to move, and they are therefore normally liquids – either liquid salts, such as molten sodium chloride, or solutions in which ions are dissolved.

Copper

The element copper is a lustrous reddish-brown transition metal. It is malleable and ...

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