IB Chemistry SL 3.2.8 Electrolytic Cells Questions

Use real SL exam questions to label electrolytic cells, trace ions and electrons, and deduce molten-salt products.

Exam points

Identify the power supply, electrodes and electrolyte in an electrolytic cell, and show the positive anode, negative cathode, electron flow and ion movement.
Deduce the products and balanced half-equations at the anode and cathode when a molten salt is electrolysed.
Explain how current is conducted by electrons in the wires and by cations and anions moving through the molten electrolyte.

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Study 3.2.8—Electrolytic cells conceptsOpen the corresponding Concept lesson for explanations, examples and exam connections.

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Draw a diagram of an electrolytic cell for the electrolysis of molten nickel(II) bromide, $\mathrm{NiBr}_{2}(\mathrm{l})$ . Include the direction of the electron flow, the polarity of electrodes and the half-equations at each electrode.

Negative electrode (cathode):

Positive electrode (anode):

Figure for Answer to Question IB Chemistry SL 3.2.8 Electrolytic Cells Questions question 1 — IB Chemistry SL

power source and direction of $\mathrm{e}^{-}$ movement;
labelled +/positive electrode/anode and -/negative electrode/cathode and (molten) electrolyte/ $\mathrm{NiBr}_{2}(\mathrm{l})$ ;
Accept polarity of electrodes given at the power source.

Award [1 max] for M3 and M4 if equations are given at wrong electrodes. Ignore state symbols and reversible sign.
Allow e instead of $e^{-}$ .

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IB Chemistry SL 3.2.8 Electrolytic Cells Questions question 1