Electrolysis Lesson for Kids | Study.com (2024)

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InstructorRebecca GillaspyShow bio

Dr. Gillaspy has taught health science at University of Phoenix and Ashford University and has a degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic.

Did you know you can break water? In this lesson, you'll learn how electrolysis works and how scientists can use it to split molecules of water. We'll also explore how electrolysis might mean that the cars of the future could run on water.

Table of Contents

  • What is Electrolysis?
  • How Does Electrolysis Work?
  • What is Electrolysis Used For?
  • Lesson Summary
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Look into the sky on a stormy day and you'll see lightning bolts streaking through the sky. Crash! Oh no, lightning just struck a tree and broke it! Lightning is a flash of electricity that is so powerful it can split a tree. Electricity can be scary, but it can also be useful.

Scientists have learned how to use the power of electricity to split elements and compounds. This process is called electrolysis. Elements are substances made up of a single type of atom, while compounds are substances made up of elements.

The term 'electrolysis' is easy to remember if you break the word down into its parts. The first part of the word, electro, refers to electric. The second part of the word, lysis, is a scientist's way of saying that something is splitting. So, electrolysis is 'electric splitting.'

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To understand how electrolysis works, let's split a compound that you're familiar with: water. Water is a nice refreshing drink, but if we look inside water, we see that it contains molecules of H2O, which are chemical compounds made up of hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) atoms.

To perform our experiment, we will need to make an electric current, which means we need to flow electricity through the water. The electric current will pass between a negatively charged electrode called a cathode and a positively charged electrode called an anode. (An electrode is something that conducts or carries electricity.) You can remember that the anode is the positively charged electrode by thinking of it as the electrode with a positive attitude. In other words, the anode is feeling A-okay.

In electrolysis, an electric current flows between a cathode and anode.
Electrolysis Lesson for Kids | Study.com (1)

Water doesn't conduct, or carry, electricity very well, so we can add salt to make it a better conductor. Salt is a compound made up of ions of sodium and chloride. Ions are electrically charged atoms, and they will help the electricity flow through our watery solution.

When the electricity passes through the solution, it breaks the bonds that hold the salt water together. The individual elements (hydrogen, oxygen, sodium, and chloride) are now free and can form new compounds.

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Could our cars run on water? The electrolysis of water creates hydrogen gas, which can be used as a fuel to run our cars. Scientists are working on making this process efficient, so maybe when you learn how to drive, you'll be able to fill up your car with water, rather than fuel!

Electrolysis is already used in the mining industry to separate important metals from the rocks they're found in. It's also used to make jewelry less expensive. A pure gold ring would cost a lot of money. But using electrolysis, a jeweler can plate or cover a cheaper metal with gold.

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Electrolysis is a process that uses the power of electricity to split elements and compounds. An electric current is passed between a negatively charged electrode called a cathode and a positively charged electrode called an anode. This electric current breaks the bonds that hold the substances together.

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FAQs

What is the lesson of electrolysis for kids? ›

In electrolysis, an electric current flows between a cathode and anode. Water doesn't conduct, or carry, electricity very well, so we can add salt to make it a better conductor. Salt is a compound made up of ions of sodium and chloride.

What is electrolysis answers? ›

electrolysis, process by which electric current is passed through a substance to effect a chemical change. The chemical change is one in which the substance loses or gains an electron (oxidation or reduction).

Can kids do electrolysis? ›

Electrolysis can be performed safely on any age group from newborn babies to people over a hundred years of age. It is not suggested that there is a good reason for using electrolysis on a new born, but rather than it is safe. The earliest age for treatment depends upon the motivation of the young person.

How does electrolysis work for dummies? ›

How does electrolysis work? The basic principle of electrolysis is to split water into oxygen and hydrogen with the help of electricity. The splitting occurs in two partial reactions that take place at the two electrodes – cathode (-) and anode (+) – in the electrolysis cell.

What is the formula for solving electrolysis? ›

Formula and Explanation: The mass (m) of a substance liberated in electrolysis can be calculated using the formula m = (Q × M) / (n × F), where M is the molar mass of the substance (in grams per mole), n is the number of moles of electrons involved in the redox reaction at the electrode, and F is the Faraday constant ( ...

Is electrolysis a hard topic? ›

It's Content Heavy

Moreover, in exams, they have to construct a properly labeled electrolytic cell, which is often challenging to remember as they often mix up signs of two electrodes. Collectively, all these things make this topic a little hard for them to memorize and understand.

How to study electrolysis? ›

At the heart of electrolysis is the movement of ions in an electric field. Positive ions, or cations, move towards the cathode to gain electrons in a process known as reduction. Correspondingly, negative ions, or anions, move towards the anode to lose electrons through oxidation.

What is the process of electrolysis answer? ›

Electrolysis is the process by which ionic substances are decomposed into simpler substances when an current is passed through them. Electrolysis Process: ionic compounds contain charged particles called ions. For example, Sodium Chloride contains positively charged Sodium ions and negatively charged Chlorine ions.

How does electrolysis actually work? ›

What is electrolysis? Electrolysis is a hair removal treatment. A trained electrologist inserts a thin wire into the hair follicle under the surface of the skin. An electric current moves down the wire to the bottom of the follicle, destroying the hair root.

What is the basic principle of electrolysis? ›

The fundamental process of electrolysis is the interchanging of ions and atoms by the addition or removal of electrons from the external circuit. Ionic compounds contain charged particles called ions. For example, sodium chloride contains positively charged sodium ions and negatively charged chlorine ions.

What makes electrolysis faster? ›

Pure water has an electrical conductivity about one-millionth that of seawater. Efficiency is increased through the addition of an electrolyte (such as a salt, an acid or a base) and electrocatalysts.

What is the study of electrolysis process? ›

Electrolysis is a process to decompose neutral compounds by passing electricity through them. Not all compounds can undergo the process of electrolysis. The compounds selected for the electrolysis process must be ionic; the compounds must be made up of ions. Not only this, but the ions should be free to move.

What can you learn from electrolysis? ›

These reactions involve the breakdown of chemical compounds (electrolytes) into their constituent elements. By learning about electrolysis, students gain insight into how different chemicals are made in industries.

What is the process of electrolysis in simple terms? ›

During electrolysis, positively charged ions move to the negative electrode and negatively charged ions move to the positive electrode. Then positively charged ions receive electrons and negatively charged ions lose electrons. Both the products of the dissociation get collected at the electrodes.

What are the basic concepts of electrolysis? ›

Electrolysis is the passing of a direct electric current through an electrolyte which is producing chemical reactions at the electrodes and decomposition of the materials. The main components required to achieve electrolysis are an electrolyte, electrodes, and an external power source.

How do electrolytes conduct electricity for kids? ›

The electrolyte can conduct electricity because the molecules are broken up into ions. When the electrolyte is fused or is dissolved in the solvent, these broken up molecules allow conduction of electricity in the solution.

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