How does Electrolysis work on metals (Especially alkali metals). When and how was it discovered?
Electrolysis works by dissolving the solution/melted product and passing DC electricity through. Since group I metals are always ionic the molten state frees the ions into M+. These are then drawn to the cathode (-ve) where they gain an electron and become solid metal which then drops to the bottom and is tapped off and cooled. The other part of the salt goes to the anode (+ve) and donates an electron and usually escapes to the air (such as Cl2) For the electrolysis of NaCl NaCl(s) —> Na+ (aq) + Cl- (aq) Cathode: Na+ (aq) + e- —> Na(s) Anode : 2Cl- (aq) – 2e- ——> Cl2(g) ======================================… I believe it was Davy who found out the process sometime in the 19th century, quite late for elements because it requires huge amounts of energy ======================================… Interestingly this works on anything that is ionised and will work even on water (which is weakly self-ionising). Due to a lack of symbols I am using the resonance arrow to mean reversible.
