A nonelectrolyte is a compound that does not conduct electric current in either aqueous solution or in the molten state.
Many molecular compounds, such as sugar or ethanol, are nonelectrolytes.
When these compounds dissolve in water, they do not produce ions.
Electrolysis:
Simply, Breaking of chemical compounds using electric current (electricity).
Electrical energy → Chemical energy.
Electrolytes exist in molten or aqueous state inside the electrolytic cell.
This process is carried out in a vessel called electrolytic cell or voltmeter. The two metallic rods are connected to two terminals of battery in electrolytic solution with the help of electric wire. These metallic rods are called electrodes. The electrode connected to positive terminal of battery is called anode and the electrode connected to negative terminal of battery is called cathode. In cathode reduction takes place whereas in anode oxidation takes place.
If the electrolyte is NaCl solution, then
At cathode : Reduction
Na++e−⟶Na
At anode : Oxidation
Cl−−e−⟶Cl
Applications of Electrolysis:
Electrolysis can be used to extract the pure metals in electroplating, electro refining, etc.
It can be used to manufacture oxygen and hydrogen gas from water.
Ostwald's dilution law:
Ostwald's dilution law describes the dissociation constant of the weak electrolyte with the degree of dissociation α and the concentration of the weak electrolyte.
It is applicable only for weak electrolyte such as Acetic acid (CH3COOH).
Derivation
Consider a binary electrolyte AB which dissociates into A+andB−ions,
AB(1)⇋A+(1)+B−(1)
At t=0 when no reaction is going on Concentration of AB=C and Concentration of A+andB−ions=0 since there is no product formed.
At equilibrium Concentration of AB=C−Cα, Concentration of A+andB−ions=Cα.
AB(1)⇋A+(1)B−(1),putting the values of an reactants and products concentration the equilibrium constant can be written as: K=[AB(1)][A+(1)][B+(1)] which is also written as: K=[C−Cα][Cα][Cα]=C(1−α)(Cα)2
For very weak electrolytes since α<<<1,(1−α)≈1therefore the expression of equilibrium constant can be written as: K=Cα2then α=CK where K= dissociation constant of weak acid, α= degree of dissociation, C= concentration.
Ostwald's dilution law states that only at infinite dilution the weak electrolyte undergoes complete ionization.
Therefore, Ostwald's dilution law relates dissociation constant with degree of dissociation and concentration.
Faraday's law of electrolysis:
-These show the quantitative relationship between the substance deposited at electrodes and the quantity of electric charge or electricity passed.
First Law:
-Faraday’s First Law of Electrolysis states that “The mass of a substance deposited at any electrode is directly proportional to the amount of charge passed.”
-Mathematically it can be expressed as follows –
m∝Q−−−−−−−−−−(1)
Where:
m = mass of a substance (in grams) deposited or liberated at an electrode.
Q = amount of charge (in coulombs) or electricity passed through it
On removing the proportionality in equation (1)
m=zQ
m=zIt[Q=It]
Where;
z is the proportionality constant. Its unit is grams per coulomb (g/C). It is also called the electrochemical equivalent. z is the mass of a substance deposited at electrodes during electrolysis bypassing 1 coulomb of charge.
I is electric current.
tis time.
Second Law:
-Faraday’s Second Law of Electrolysis states that “The mass of a substance deposited at any electrode on passing a certain amount of charge is directly proportional to its chemical equivalent weight.” Or “when the same quantity of electricity is passed through several electrolytes, the mass of the substances deposited are proportional to their respective chemical equivalent or equivalent weight”.
Mathematically it can be represented as follows –
w∝E
Where w= mass of the substance
E= equivalent weight of the substance
-It can also be expressed as: w2w1=E2E1
-The equivalent weight or chemical equivalent of a substance can be defined as the ratio of its atomic weight and valency.
Equivalentweight=Atomicweight/Valency
From the experiments:
96500C is required to deposit E gm of an ionic species.
1C is required to deposit 96500E gm of an ionic species.