CHEMICAL EFFECTS OF ELECTRIC CURRENT

Introduction

Electric current is a flow of electric charge through a conductor. When electric current passes through certain substances, it can produce chemical changes. This phenomenon is known as the chemical effect of electric current. In this chapter, we will explore how electric current can cause chemical reactions, which substances show this effect, and the practical applications of this phenomenon. The chemical effect of electric current is the basis for many important industrial and household processes, such as electroplating, electrolysis, and purification of metals. The chapter begins by revisiting the concept of electric current and then moves on to experiments demonstrating chemical effects, followed by detailed explanations of electrolysis, its applications, and related concepts.

• Electric current is the flow of electric charge through a conductor.
• Chemical effect of electric current refers to chemical changes caused by electric current.
• Certain substances like liquids containing ions show chemical effects when current passes through them.
• This effect is used in electroplating, electrolysis, and purification of metals.
• Understanding this effect helps in practical applications in industries and daily life.
• 📌 Electric current: Flow of electric charge through a conductor.
• 📌 Chemical effect of electric current: Chemical changes produced by electric current.

Chemical Effects of Electric Current

When an electric current passes through a conducting liquid, chemical changes occur in the liquid and on the electrodes. This is because the conducting liquid contains ions, which move towards the electrodes of opposite charge. Positive ions (cations) move towards the cathode (negative electrode), and negative ions (anions) move towards the anode (positive electrode). At the electrodes, these ions either gain or lose electrons, resulting in chemical reactions such as deposition of metals or liberation of gases. This process is called electrolysis. The chemical effect of electric current is observed in electrolytes, which are substances that conduct electricity in molten or aqueous states due to the presence of ions. For example, when electric current is passed through molten lead bromide, lead metal is deposited at the cathode and bromine gas is released at the anode. This shows that electric current can cause chemical decomposition of compounds into their elements.

• Electric current causes chemical changes in conducting liquids called electrolytes.
• Ions in the electrolyte move towards electrodes of opposite charge.
• Cations move to cathode; anions move to anode.
• Chemical reactions at electrodes cause deposition or liberation of elements.
• Electrolysis is the process of chemical decomposition by electric current.
• Example: Molten lead bromide decomposes into lead and bromine on electrolysis.
• 📌 Electrolyte: Substance that conducts electricity due to presence of ions.
• 📌 Electrolysis: Chemical decomposition caused by electric current.
• 📌 Cations: Positively charged ions.