Difference between revisions of "Electrolysis"

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'''Electrolysis''' is the process of dividing [[water]] into fractions, separating [[hydrogen]] from [[oxygen]]. This is achieved by an electrical field, pulling the negative charged hydroxide ions OH<sup>-</sup> to the positive electrode and the positive charged hydronium ions H<sub>3</sub>O<sup>+</sup> to the negative electrode. When arriving at the electrodes the ions are discharged and become gaseous oxygen and hydrogen respectively.
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'''Electrolysis''' is the process of separating a chemical compound by passing an electrical current through it, either molten or in solution.
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By applying a voltage across two electrodes immersed in the liquid, an electric field is set up, causing separation of ions in order to maintain electrical equilibrium.  For instance, [[water]] can be separated into [[hydrogen]] from [[oxygen]], with the negatively charged hydroxide ions OH<sup>-</sup> drawn to the positive electrode and the positively charged hydronium ions H<sub>3</sub>O<sup>+</sup> drawn to the negative electrode. When arriving at the electrodes the ions are discharged and become gaseous oxygen and hydrogen respectively.  The net effect of of the migration of ions is identical to the flow of an electric current through the liquid.
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Electrolysis is a common industrial process, used in the production of:
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* [[Aluminium]]
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* [[Sodium]]
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* [[Chlorine]]
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There are a number of other industrial processes which are based on the same principles.
  
 
==Technological usage==
 
==Technological usage==
 
Water is considered a natural resource on [[Mars]]. Electrolysis can be used to produce oxygen as part of air in artificial [[habitat]]s. The produced hydrogen on the other hand can be used for [[hydrocarbon synthesis]], yielding [[synthetic materials]] for [[space suit]]s etc.
 
Water is considered a natural resource on [[Mars]]. Electrolysis can be used to produce oxygen as part of air in artificial [[habitat]]s. The produced hydrogen on the other hand can be used for [[hydrocarbon synthesis]], yielding [[synthetic materials]] for [[space suit]]s etc.
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==External Links==
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* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolysis Wikipedia article on electrolysis]
  
 
[[Category: Technology]]
 
[[Category: Technology]]
 
[[Category: Chemistry]]
 
[[Category: Chemistry]]

Revision as of 11:18, 23 November 2007

Electrolysis is the process of separating a chemical compound by passing an electrical current through it, either molten or in solution.

By applying a voltage across two electrodes immersed in the liquid, an electric field is set up, causing separation of ions in order to maintain electrical equilibrium. For instance, water can be separated into hydrogen from oxygen, with the negatively charged hydroxide ions OH- drawn to the positive electrode and the positively charged hydronium ions H3O+ drawn to the negative electrode. When arriving at the electrodes the ions are discharged and become gaseous oxygen and hydrogen respectively. The net effect of of the migration of ions is identical to the flow of an electric current through the liquid.

Electrolysis is a common industrial process, used in the production of:

There are a number of other industrial processes which are based on the same principles.

Technological usage

Water is considered a natural resource on Mars. Electrolysis can be used to produce oxygen as part of air in artificial habitats. The produced hydrogen on the other hand can be used for hydrocarbon synthesis, yielding synthetic materials for space suits etc.

External Links