When graphite electrodes which are inert electrodes (does not involve in reactions) are connected to a battery , the electrode connected to the positive (+) side of the battery become positive electrode and the other side connected to the negative end of the electrode become negatively charged.
As mentioned earlier when lead Chloride is molten its ions are free to move. Ions present in the Lead bromide is Lead ions Pb2+
and Chloride ions Cl-
To remind you :
Positive ions are called cations
Negative ions are called anions
When the electrodes are charged in positively, the anions are attracted towards it.As anions are attracted towards the electrode it is called the anode;
Positive electrode: anode
According to this example the negatively charged chloride ions are attracted towards the positive anode and undergo the anode reaction;
-------->2 Cl- - 2e Cl2
Likewise the Cations are attracted towards the negative electrode.
Negative electrode: Cathode
According to this example the positively charged Lead ions undergo cathodic reaction
Pb2+ + 2e ----------> Pb
Therefore when molten lead chloride is electrolysed Pb is deposited in the cathode and Chlorine gas is evolved in the anode.
Questions:
1. Predict the likely products of electrolysis of molten lead bromide and write the cathode and anode reaction.
Next about electrolysis of aqueous solutions
and
