Electrolysis Quiz
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5 questions, one answer each
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1. What is the term for the ionic substance broken down during electrolysis?
- A. The electrode
- B. The electrolyte
- C. The catalyst
- D. The cathode
2. Why can solid sodium chloride not be electrolysed?
- A. It has no ions at all
- B. Its ions are not free to move
- C. It is not an ionic compound
- D. It conducts electricity too well
3. During electrolysis, which ions move towards the cathode?
- A. Negative ions
- B. Positive ions
- C. Neutral atoms
- D. Electrons only
4. What happens to an ion when it is 'discharged' at an anode?
- A. It gains electrons
- B. It loses electrons
- C. It splits into two smaller ions
- D. It dissolves further
5. A student writes the half-equation Na⁺ + e⁻ → Na for the cathode reaction in molten sodium chloride electrolysis. A classmate claims this should be classed as oxidation. Who is correct, and why?
- A. The classmate, because sodium is a reactive metal
- B. The student's diagram is correct, but it is oxidation because electrons are involved
- C. Neither — half-equations cannot show single electrons
- D. The student is correct — electrons are gained, so this is reduction