Molten silver chloride, which contains positive silver ions and negative chloride ions, is electrolysed using graphite electrodes connected to a direct current supply. Electrode P is connected to the negative terminal and electrode Q is connected to the positive terminal.
A student gives this explanation:
‘Silver ions pass through electrode P and continue along the connecting wire. Chloride ions pass through electrode Q and continue along the other connecting wire.’
Explain why the student's description is incorrect and how the movement of charged particles keeps the circuit complete.
The power supply remains switched on while the silver chloride cools until it is solid. Predict the reading on an ammeter in one of the connecting wires and explain your answer.
98 exam-style questions on OCR GCSE Chemistry 3.4 Electrolysis, covering 3.4.1 Products formed at the electrodes in electrolysis and 3.4.2 The technique of electrolysis. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.