From 98b586f4574412e11c633c7fe8fcd99b626684c7 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: tanmayratho Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2017 01:41:27 +0530 Subject: [PATCH 1/2] README file added --- README.md | 0 1 file changed, 0 insertions(+), 0 deletions(-) create mode 100644 README.md diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e69de29 From fbaedb7e8f03e825da260f62af4d06616ebe5583 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: tanmayratho Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2017 01:45:40 +0530 Subject: [PATCH 2/2] README file updated --- README.md | 11 +++++++++++ 1 file changed, 11 insertions(+) diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index e69de29..c63349e 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +# Electrolysis +Electrolysis is the chemical process of using an electrical current to stimulate non-spontaneous reactions. A non-spontaneous reaction is one that needs energy to work while it proceeds. In other words, the process would not happen on its own, as it goes in an unfavorable, or a reversed, direction. + +Important uses include its role in separating metals from a natural source, such as our friend the copper ore. Other useful benefits for electrolysis include the purification of metals and decomposition of compounds like water. + +The site where electrolysis occurs is in an electrolytic cell, which is a type of electrochemical cell that drives an electrical current using a non-spontaneous reaction. So, not like a cell in your body, but a container. Thus, these cells must have an energy source to drive the reaction in the reverse or opposite direction, like a battery. Be careful not to confuse an electrolytic cell with electrolysis. Always remember that the electrolysis process is performed using an electrolytic cell. +# How Does Electrolysis Work? +We can understand the process of electrolysis by looking at an example involving the purification of a copper metal. This process will require an anode, a positively charged electrode, and a cathode, a negatively charged electrode. In this case, an impure copper metal is the anode, while the pure copper metal is the cathode. The goal is to use electrolysis for the purpose of recycling a dirty old piece of copper pipe, or impure copper, to a beautiful, purified copper pipe. + +Electrolysis Diagram +The copper sulfate electrolyte, or solution, ensures there is a liquid medium conducive for ion movement inside the cell (a). When copper ions leave the impure copper pipe through the help of an energy supply, they migrate from the anode (b) to the cathode (c). After reaching the cathode, they collect the electrons needed to form a neutral, or no charge, copper metal. These neutral copper metal atoms gather on the pure copper cathode (d). The leftover impurities from the anode, or the ones not traveling to the cathode to be purified, collect at the bottom of the cell.