Starter quiz
- What particles are found in the nucleus of an atom?
- electrons
- neutrons ✓
- protons ✓
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- What does the periodic table show?
- compounds
- elements ✓
- mixtures
- molecules
- chemicals
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- What type of ions do metals typically form?
- negative ions
- neutral ions
- positive ions ✓
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- What is the charge of an electron?
- negative ✓
- neutral
- positive
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- How do non-metals achieve a full outer shell?
- by becoming inert
- by gaining electrons ✓
- by losing electrons
- by sharing electrons ✓
- by becoming a noble gas
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- What is an ion?
- an atom that has lost electrons ✓
- an atom that has gained protons
- an atom that has lost protons
- an atom that has gained electrons ✓
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Exit quiz
- What is the role of the cathode in electrolysis?
- It is the negative electrode where positive particles gain electrons. ✓
- It is the positive electrode where negative particles gain electrons.
- It is the positive electrode where positive particles lose electrons.
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- What occurs at the anode during electrolysis?
- negative ions gain electrons
- negative ions lose electrons ✓
- positive ion gain electrons
- positive ions lose electrons
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- What does an electrolyte contain?
- both positive and negative ions that can move ✓
- only negative ions that can move
- only positive ions that can move
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- Who formulated the laws of electrolysis?
- Isaac Newton
- Michael Faraday ✓
- Ernest Rutherford
- Niels Bohr
- Nikola Tesla
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- Why is electrolysis not a physical separation method?
- It involves chemical changes driven by electricity. ✓
- It involves physical processes like filtration.
- It only separates solid particles.
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- Match each keyword to its meaning.
- electrolysis⇔a process that uses electricity to breakdown a compound ✓
- electric current⇔a flow of electrical charge ✓
- electrolyte⇔a liquid or solution that contains freely moving ions ✓
- electrode⇔a rod of metal or graphite through which an electric current flows ✓
Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Electrolysis: the process in which an electrolyte is broken down by electricity; it's not a physical separation method.
- The cathode is the negative electrode, where positive particles gain electrons.
- The anode is the positive electrode, where negative particles lose electrons.
- An electrolyte contains freely moving ions, and these are attracted to the charged electrodes.
- Electrolysis allowed Davy and Faraday to make their scientific discoveries.
Common misconception
Pupils often confuse key terminology, as many words are similar, and confuse electrolysis with physical methods of separation.
Emphasise the keywords and provide plenty of opportunity for them to be used in the correct context. Compare electrolysis to physical methods of separation, such as filtration, and explain that chemical reactions occur at the electrodes.
Keywords
Electrode - a rod of metal or graphite through which an electric current flows in and out of an electrolyte
Electrolyte - a liquid or solution that contains freely moving ions
Electrolysis - a process that uses electricity to break down a compound
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