Electrolysis: Understanding Key Concepts and Operating Modes
Electrolysis
Electrolysis applies to a reaction which causes a chemical change when an electric current passes through an electrolyte solution. Oxidation (loss of electrons) takes place at the anode, and reduction (gain of electrons) occurs at the cathode.
Electrode Potential
When a conductor (electrode) is placed in contact with an electrolytic solution, a spontaneous electrical potential difference occurs at the electrode-solution interface. This difference is the electrode potential and is measured
Read MoreChemical Reactions and Matter: Understanding the Basics
Chemistry: Reactions and Matter
Chemical Reactions
Chemical reactions are the processes by which one or more substances are transformed into one or more different substances.
Pure Substances
A pure substance is a type of material that cannot be separated into other types of matter by the simplest physical methods and has a constant composition.
- Element: A pure substance that cannot be decomposed by chemical processes.
- Compound: A pure substance formed by two or more chemically bonded elements in fixed
Atomic Models and Chemical Compounds: A Comprehensive Study
Atomic Models and Chemical Compounds
Thomson’s Atomic Model
Imagine the atom as a lump of positively charged matter with negatively charged electrons embedded within it, like a watermelon.
Rutherford’s Gold Foil Experiment
Rutherford decided to bombard atoms in a very thin gold foil with projectiles. He used newly discovered particles, much smaller than atoms but very heavy, with a mass four times greater than that of a hydrogen atom and a charge twice that of an electron, but positive. These particles
Read MoreLiquefaction, Complexation, Surface Tension, and Raoult’s Law
Liquefaction of Gases
Liquefaction of gases is the process of converting a gas into a liquid state. This process involves reducing the temperature and/or increasing the pressure of the gas to a point where it condenses into a liquid.
Principles Involved
- Joule-Thomson Effect
- Critical Temperature
- Critical Pressure
Faraday’s Method
Faraday’s method is a historical technique used to liquefy gases, developed by Michael Faraday in the 19th century. The method involves:
- Compression
- Cooling
- Expansion
- Liquefaction
Working
Read MoreAtomic Structure and Chemical Laws: A Comprehensive Summary
Lavoisier: Conservation of Mass
In any chemical reaction, the total mass of reactants is equal to the mass of the products. For example, 5g + 1.2g = 3.7g.
Proust: Definite Proportions
The proportion among the masses in which two or more elements combine to form a certain compound is always constant and independent of the procedure used to form it.
Dalton: Multiple Proportions
When two elements combine together to form more than one compound, the masses of one of them that combine with the same mass of
Read MoreEssential Chemistry: Functional Groups, Reactions, and Gas Laws
Haloalkanes
Haloalkanes (Alkyl halides) (R-X): Fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo. In the longest chain, count where the halogen is closest. For more than one, use di, tri, tetra. Common names: MONO: alkyl + ide; DI: alkyl(ene) + ide; TRI: Chloro, fluoro, etc.; TETRA: Carbon + tetra + halogen(ide).
Alcohol formation: R-X + NaOH = R-OH + Na-X
Alcohols
Alcohols (R-OH): Number the chain with the closest -OH. Change “ane” to “ol”. Common name: Use the alkyl name (e.g., Methyl) followed by “alcohol”.
Esterification:
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