Chemical Effect of a Current
In 1834, Michael Faraday studied the passage of electricity through liquids. He called it electrolysis, as it was accompanied by the chemical decomposition of the electrolyte (a liquid which conducts electricity).
The metallic conductors through which the current enters and leaves the electrolyte are called electrodes. The electrode at high potential is called anode (+) and the other at lower potential is called cathode (-).
The passage of current through electrolytes was considered to take place through moving charged particles, which were called ‘ions’ by Faraday.
The ion with negative charge is called ‘anion’ and the one with positive charge is called ‘cation’.
The chemical effect of a current may cause:
1.Formation of gas bubbles at the electrodes
2.Deposit of metal on the electrodes
3.Change in colour of the solution
The metallic conductors through which the current enters and leaves the electrolyte are called electrodes. The electrode at high potential is called anode (+) and the other at lower potential is called cathode (-).
The passage of current through electrolytes was considered to take place through moving charged particles, which were called ‘ions’ by Faraday.
The ion with negative charge is called ‘anion’ and the one with positive charge is called ‘cation’.
The chemical effect of a current may cause:
1.Formation of gas bubbles at the electrodes
2.Deposit of metal on the electrodes
3.Change in colour of the solution