4.4.5

Half Equations

Test yourself

Half Equations

During electrolysis, different reactions take place at the different electrodes. The reactions that happen at each electrode can be shown using half equations. The electrolysis of lead bromide is an example of this:

Illustrative background for At the anode (positive electrode)Illustrative background for At the anode (positive electrode) ?? "content

At the anode (positive electrode)

  • Oxidation reactions happen i.e. negatively charged ions lose electrons.
    • 2Br- → Br2 + 2e-
Illustrative background for At the cathode (negative electrode)Illustrative background for At the cathode (negative electrode) ?? "content

At the cathode (negative electrode)

  • Reduction reactions happen i.e. positively charged ions gain electrons.
    • Pb2+ + 2e- → Pb

Jump to other topics

1Atomic Structure

2Chemical Bonding

3Quantitative Chemistry

4Chemical Changes

5Energy Changes

6The Rate & Extent of Chemical Change

7Organic Chemistry

8Chemical Analysis

9Chemistry of the Atmosphere

10Using Resources

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