Chapter 7: Problem 46
State and explain Faraday's laws of electrolysis.
Short Answer
Expert verified
Question: State and explain Faraday's laws of electrolysis.
Answer: Faraday's laws govern the electrochemical reactions of substances in electrolytic cells.
Faraday's First Law of electrolysis states that the amount of substance deposited or released at the electrodes is directly proportional to the quantity of charge that passes (q = z * I * t). This means that the substance is deposited at a rate proportional to the current and the time it is applied, where z is the electrochemical equivalent of the substance. In short, when a higher current or a longer time is applied, more substance is deposited or released.
Faraday's Second Law of electrolysis states that when the same quantity of electricity is passed through different electrolytes, the masses of the substances deposited or released are in the ratio of their chemical equivalents or equivalent masses (m1/m2 = E1/E2). This law is based on the fact that different substances have different abilities to gain or lose electrons during electrolytic reactions, and the ratio of their deposited or released substances' masses is equal to the ratio of their equivalent masses.