Chemical changes - Electrolysis - High demand – Questions

Q1.
This question is about electrolysis.

(a) Figure 1 shows the apparatus used to electrolyse silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution.

Figure 1

Name the product discharged at each electrode.

Write a half equation for the reaction at each electrode.

Product at negative electrode (cathode) ___________________________________

Half equation for negative electrode

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Product at positive electrode (anode) _____________________________________

Half equation for positive electrode

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(4)

(b) Figure 2 shows the apparatus used to electrolyse sodium chloride (NaCl) solution.

Figure 2

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 Hydrogen and chlorine are produced.

Explain how another different product is formed in solution during this electrolysis.

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(4)
(Total 8 marks)

Q2.
A student investigated the electrolysis of different concentrations of sodium chloride
solution.

Figure 1 shows the apparatus used.

Figure 1

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The student recorded the volume of hydrogen gas produced in 10 minutes.

The table shows the student’s results.

Volume of hydrogen gas

Concentration of sodium
produced in 10 minutes in
chloride solution in g/dm3
cm3

0.0 0.0

14.6 1.3

29.3 2.1

43.9 3.9

58.5 5.2

73.1 6.5

87.8 7.8

Figure 2

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(a) Plot the data from the table on Figure 2.

You should:
• label the x-axis and y-axis
• use suitable scales
• draw a line of best fit.
(4)

(b) Describe the trend on your graph in Figure 2.

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(1)

(c) Give the dependent variable and the independent variable in the investigation.

Dependent _________________________________________________________

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Independent ________________________________________________________

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(2)

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(d) Explain how chlorine gas is produced at the positive electrode.

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(4)

(e) Sodium ions and hydrogen ions are attracted to the negative electrode.

Why is hydrogen gas produced at the negative electrode?

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(1)

(f) The student made 50 cm3 of a sodium chloride solution of concentration 29.25 g/dm3

How many moles of sodium chloride did the student use to make 50 cm3 of the
solution?

Relative atomic masses (Ar): Na = 23 Cl = 35.5

You must show your working.

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Number of moles = ____________________

(4)
(Total 16 marks)

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Q3.
Copper can be produced from copper(II) sulfate solution by two different methods.

Method 1 – Electrolysis

(a) To produce copper by electrolysis a student has inert electrodes, a d.c. power
supply, a switch and electrical wires for the external circuit.

Draw and label the apparatus set up to produce copper from copper(II) sulfate
solution by electrolysis.
(2)

(b) Suggest why the colour of the copper(II) sulfate solution fades during the
electrolysis.

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(3)

(c) Explain how copper is produced from copper(II) sulfate solution by electrolysis.

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(4)

Method 2 – Displacement

(d) The chemical equation for the displacement of copper using iron is:

CuSO4 + Fe Cu + FeSO4

Calculate the minimum mass of iron needed to displace all of the copper from 50
cm3 of copper(II) sulfate solution.

The concentration of the copper(II) sulfate solution is 80 g CuSO4 per dm3.

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 Relative atomic masses (Ar): O = 16; S = 32; Fe = 56; Cu = 63.5

Give your answer to 2 significant figures.

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Mass of iron = __________________ g

(4)
(Total 13 marks)

Q4.
Aluminium is produced from an ore called bauxite.

Bauxite contains aluminium oxide.

Look at Figure 1.

Figure 1

(a) Calculate the percentage of bauxite that is converted into aluminium oxide.

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Percentage = _________________
(2)

(b) Show by calculation that the mass of aluminium produced is less than that expected
from 1 950 kg aluminium oxide (Al2O3).

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 You should state the difference in the mass of aluminium expected and the mass of
aluminium produced to three significant figures.

Relative atomic masses (Ar): O = 16; Al = 27

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(3)

(c) Figure 2 shows an electrolysis cell used to extract aluminium.

Figure 2

Why does the carbon anode used in the electrolysis cell need to be continually
replaced?

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(3)

(d) In an electrolysis cell the current is 1.5 × 105 A, at a potential difference of 4V.

Calculate the energy transferred by the electrolysis cell in 24 hours.

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 ___________________________________________________________________

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Energy transferred = _________________ J

(5)

(e) The half equation at the cathode is:

Al3+ + 3 e– Al

Calculate the number of moles of electrons needed to produce 1 000 kg of

aluminium.

Give your answer to three significant figures.

Relative atomic mass (Ar): Al = 27

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Answer = _________________ moles

(3)
(Total 16 marks)

Q5.
This question is about magnesium and magnesium chloride.

(a) Magnesium chloride contains magnesium ions (Mg2+) and chloride ions (Cl⁻).

Describe, in terms of electrons, what happens when a magnesium atom reacts with
chlorine atoms to produce magnesium chloride.

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 ___________________________________________________________________
(4)

(b) Magnesium chloride can be electrolysed.

The diagram below shows two experiments for electrolysing magnesium chloride.

(i) Explain why magnesium chloride must be molten or dissolved in water to be

electrolysed.

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(2)

(ii) Explain how magnesium is produced at the negative electrode in Experiment

1.

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(3)

(iii) In Experiment 2 a gas is produced at the negative electrode.

Name the gas produced at the negative electrode.

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 ____________________________________
(1)

(iv) Suggest why magnesium is not produced at the negative electrode in

Experiment 2.

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(1)

(v) Complete and balance the half equation for the reaction at the positive
electrode.

_____ Cl⁻ → Cl2 + _____

(1)

(c) Magnesium is a metal.

Explain why metals can be bent and shaped.

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(2)
(Total 14 marks)

Q6.
This question is about iron and aluminium.

(a) Iron is extracted in a blast furnace. Figure 1 is a diagram of a blast furnace.

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(i) Calcium carbonate decomposes at high temperatures.

Complete the word equation for the decomposition of calcium carbonate.

calcium carbonate _____________________ +

_____________________
(2)

(ii) Carbon burns to produce carbon dioxide.

The carbon dioxide produced reacts with more carbon to produce carbon
monoxide.

Balance the equation.

C(s) + CO2(g) _____ CO(g)

(1)

(iii) Carbon monoxide reduces iron(III) oxide:

Fe2O3(s) + 3 CO(g) 2 Fe(s) + 3 CO2(g)

Calculate the maximum mass of iron that can be produced from 300 tonnes of
iron(III) oxide.

Relative atomic masses (Ar): O = 16; Fe = 56

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 ______________________________________________________________

Maximum mass = _______________ tonnes

(3)

(b) Aluminium is extracted by electrolysis, as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2

(i) Why can aluminium not be extracted by heating aluminium oxide with carbon?

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(1)

(ii) Explain why aluminium forms at the negative electrode during electrolysis.

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(3)

(iii) Explain how carbon dioxide forms at the positive electrodes during electrolysis.

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 ______________________________________________________________

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(3)
(Total 13 marks)

Q7.
Kelp is a seaweed.

Kelp can be used in foods and as a renewable energy source.

© Ethan Daniels/Shutterstock

(a) Scientific experiments, on their own, cannot fully answer one of the following
questions. Which one?

Tick ( ) one box.

Questions Tick (✔)

How much carbon dioxide is produced when 100 g of kelp

is burned?

Does kelp give out more heat energy than coal?

Will kelp last longer than coal as an energy source?

Which fuel, kelp or coal, produces the most ash when

burned?
(1)

(b) Scientists cannot answer the question ‘should people use kelp instead of coal as an
energy source?’

Give two reasons why.

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 ___________________________________________________________________

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(2)

(c) Sodium iodide can be produced from kelp.

(i) How many electrons are in the outer shell of an iodine atom?
(1)

(ii) Sodium iodide contains sodium ions (Na+) and iodide ions (I–).

Describe, as fully as you can, what happens when sodium atoms react with
iodine atoms to produce sodium iodide.

You may use a diagram in your answer

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(3)

(iii) The diagram shows the structure of sodium iodide.

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 Solid sodium iodide does not conduct electricity.

Why does sodium iodide solution conduct electricity?

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(1)

(iv) When sodium iodide solution is electrolysed, iodine is formed at the positive
electrode.

Complete and balance the half equation for the formation of iodine.

_____I− → I2 + _____e−
(1)

(v) What is formed at the negative electrode when sodium iodide solution is
electrolysed?

Explain why.

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(2)
(Total 11 marks)

Q8.
This question is about potassium.

(a) Humphrey Davy was a professor of chemistry.

In 1807 Davy did an electrolysis experiment to produce potassium.

(i) Davy first tried to electrolyse a solid potassium salt to produce potassium.

Explain why this electrolysis did not work.

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 ______________________________________________________________

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(2)

(ii) Humphrey Davy was the first person to produce potassium.

Humphrey Davy’s experiment to produce this new element was quickly

accepted by other scientists.

Suggest why.

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(1)

(b) A student dissolved some potassium chloride in water. The student tried to
electrolyse the potassium chloride solution to produce potassium.

The apparatus the student used is shown in the diagram.

The student expected to see potassium metal at the negative electrode, but instead
saw bubbles of a gas.

• Name the gas produced at the negative electrode.

• Explain why this gas was produced at the negative electrode and why
potassium was not produced.

The reactivity series of metals on the Chemistry Data Sheet may help you to answer
this question.

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 ___________________________________________________________________

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(3)

(c) The student tried to electrolyse molten potassium chloride to produce potassium.

(i) Potassium metal was produced at the negative electrode.

Describe how potassium atoms are formed from potassium ions.

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(2)

(ii) Complete and balance the equation for the reaction at the positive electrode.

______Cl− Cl2 + __________

(1)

(iii) Complete the diagram to show the electronic structure of a chloride ion (Cl−).

(1)
(Total 10 marks)

Q9.
Aluminium is extracted from aluminium oxide.

(a) The formula of aluminium oxide is Al2O3

The relative formula mass (Mr) of aluminium oxide is 102.

Calculate the percentage of aluminium in aluminium oxide.

Relative atomic masses (Ar): O = 16; Al = 27.

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 ___________________________________________________________________

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Percentage of aluminium = ________________ %

(2)

(b) Aluminium is extracted from aluminium oxide using electrolysis.

The diagram shows a cell used for the extraction of aluminium.

(i) The electrolyte contains cryolite.

Explain why.

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(2)

(ii) Oxygen is formed at the positive electrode. Complete and balance the
equation for this reaction.

___ O2− → O2 + _______

(2)

(iii) The positive electrode in the cell is used up during the process.

Explain why.

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 ______________________________________________________________

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(2)
(Total 8 marks)

Q10.
Electrolysis can be used to remove unwanted hair from the skin.

The hair is first coated with a layer of gel containing ions in solution.

The positive electrode is connected by a patch to the skin.

The negative electrode is connected to the hair. Electricity flows through the gel and
causes electrolysis of the body fluid around the hair follicle.

(a) Metal wires conduct electricity to the electrodes.

Explain how metals conduct electricity.

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(2)

(b) Explain why the gel containing ions in solution can conduct electricity.

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(1)

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 (c) The body fluid is a solution that contains sodium chloride. The electricity causes the
electrolysis of a small amount of this solution.

This solution contains hydrogen ions that move to the negative electrode.

(i) The half equation represents the reaction at the negative electrode.

2H+ + 2e– → H2

Explain why this reaction is a reduction.

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(1)

(ii) As a result of the electrolysis of sodium chloride solution, an alkali forms which
kills the hair follicle.

What is the name of this alkali? ____________________________________

(1)

(iii) Complete the half equation for the reaction at the positive electrode.

Cl – → Cl2
(1)
(Total 6 marks)

Q11.
An electric current was passed through dilute sulphuric acid. The apparatus used is
shown. Oxygen was formed at the anode.

(a) What name is given to solutions which decompose when electricity is passed
through them?

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(1)

(b) The ionic equation for the reaction at the anode is:

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 4OH– → 2H2O + O2 + 4e–
Explain this type of reaction.

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(2)

(c) Write a balanced ionic equation for the reaction at the cathode.

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(2)

(d) What happens to the concentration of the sulphuric acid as the electricity is passed
through it? Explain your answer.

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(3)
(Total 8 marks)

Q12.
280 000 tonnes of magnesium are produced in the world each year. The pie chart below
shows the ways in which magnesium is used.

(a) (i) Use the pie chart to calculate the percentage of magnesium used to make
aluminium alloys.

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 ____________________ %
(1)

(ii) How many tonnes of magnesium are used to make aluminium alloys each
year?

____________________ tonnes
(1)

(b) Magnesium is produced by the electrolysis of molten magnesium chloride. The

reactions which take place at the electrodes are represented by the equations
below.

Mg2+ + 2e– → Mg

2Cl– – 2e– → Cl2

(i) Calculate the mass of chlorine produced when one kilogram of magnesium is
made.
(Relative atomic masses: Mg = 24, Cl = 35.5)

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(3)

(ii) Give a use for chlorine.

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(1)
(Total 6 marks)

Q13.
(a) In an industrial process electricity is passed through a solution of sodium chloride in
water. A student set up the apparatus shown below to investigate this process.

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 (i) Name gas X.

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(1)

(ii) Complete the half equation for the production of chlorine gas during the
electrolysis.

______ Cl– → ______ e– → Cl2

(1)

(iii) The student found that the solution left in the cell was alkaline.

Which ion makes the solution alkaline?

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(1)

(iv) Name the useful substance that can be obtained from the solution in the cell.

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(1)

(b) Sodium carbonate is another useful chemical that can be made from sodium
chloride. The flow chart below shows one way in which sodium carbonate can be
made.

(i) Write the formula of sodium carbonate.

Use the Data Sheet to help you to answer this question.

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 (1)

(ii) Salt is one raw material used in this process.

Name one other raw material used in this process.

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(1)

(iii) Sodium carbonate is one of the products of this process.

Name one other product.

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(1)

(iv) 1. Give one example of a thermal decomposition reaction shown in the

flow chart.

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(1)

2. Explain what is meant by a thermal decomposition reaction.

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(2)

(v) Name one substance that is recycled in this process.

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(1)

(c) When sodium carbonate solution is added to zinc sulphate solution a white solid
is precipitated.

(i) Use the Data Sheet to help you to name the white solid that is produced in this
reaction.

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(1)

(ii) State why this solid is formed.

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(1)
(Total 13 marks)

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Q14.
Sando-K is a medicine. It is given to people whose bodies contain too little of a particular
element.

Sando-K is a mixture of two compounds. The formulae of the two compounds are given
below.

KHCO3 KC1

(a) Which metal do people given Sando-K need?

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(1)

(b) Sando-K contains the ion, CO32–. Which gas would be produced if a dilute acid was
added to Sando-K? (The Data Sheet may help you to answer this question.)

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(1)

(c) The compounds in Sando-K contain ions.

Complete the two sentences below.

Atoms change into positive ions by ____________________ one or more

_______________________________ .

Atoms change into negative ions by _____________________ one or

more __________________________ .
(4)

(d) Electricity can be used to show that an aqueous solution of Sando-K contains ions.

(i) Draw a diagram of an apparatus that you could use to prove that Sando-K
contains ions.

(4)

(ii) Explain, as fully as you can, what would happen when the electricity is
switched on.

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 ______________________________________________________________

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(3)
(Total 13 marks)

Q15.
Sodium hydroxide, hydrogen and chlorine can all be made in one industrial process.
Electricity is passed through aqueous sodium chloride solution (brine). The diagram below
shows a cell that can be used for this process.

(a) Name A, B and C.

Gas A _____________________________________________________________

Gas B _____________________________________________________________

Solution C _________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) Balance the equations for the reactions at the electrodes.

(i) _____ Cl– – ______ e– → Cl2

(ii) _____ H+ + ______ e– → H2

(2)

(c) Name the compound in this cell which produces the hydrogen ions.

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(1)

(d) Which type of particles must be able to pass through the barrier to allow the
electrolysis to take place?

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(1)
(Total 6 marks)

Q16.

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 The electrolysis of sodium chloride solution is an important industrial process. Three
useful substances are produced:

• chlorine gas is formed at the positive electrode;

• hydrogen gas is formed at the negative electrode;

• an alkali is left in the solution.

The reactions which take place at the electrodes are represented by the equations shown
below:

2Cl– – 2e– → Cl2

2H+ + 2e– → H2

(a) Name the important alkali which is left in the solution.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) State why chloride ions move towards the positive electrode.

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(1)

(c) Why is the formation of chlorine at this electrode said to be an oxidation reaction?

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(1)
(Total 3 marks)

Q17.
Read the passage carefully and then answer the questions.

The electrolysis of acidified water

After a few drops of dilute sulphuric acid have been added to some distilled water,
there will be three types of ion in solution:

from the water, H2O(l) → H+(aq) + OH–(aq)

from the acid, H2SO4(aq) → 2H+(aq) + SO42– (aq)

When the electrodes (anode and cathode) in a circuit are put into the acidified
water, the hydroxide ions and the sulphate ions are both attracted to the electrode
called the anode. However, it is harder for the sulphate ions to give up their
electrons than for the hydroxide ions to do this. So the hydroxide ions are the
ones which react and bubbles of oxygen are formed at the anode.

There are only hydrogen ions to be attracted towards the cathode and, when they
get there, they take up electrons to form hydrogen molecules.

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 From Chemistry Matters by Richard Hart, reproduced by permission of Oxford University Press

Even in a small volume of water acidified with dilute sulphuric acid there will be billions of
ions. Some will be anions and some will be cations.

(i) Name the ions in water acidified with dilute sulphuric acid.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) Explain why only some of the ions are attracted to the anode.

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(2)

(iii) Balance the equation for the reaction of hydroxide ions at the anode.

4OH– → H2O + O2 + e–
(1)
(Total 4 marks)

Q18.
The diagram shows electrolysis of sodium chloride solution.

(a) Complete and balance these equations to show the reactions during electrolysis.

At the positive electrode

Cl– – e– → Cl2

At the negative electrode

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 Na → Na
(2)

(b) Silver halides such as silver chloride and silver bromide are used in photography.
The equation shows a reaction to prepare a silver halide.

Name and describe the products of this reaction, in words, as fully as you can.

product 1

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product 2

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(4)
(Total 6 marks)

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