subject: Using Electrolysis To Isolate Elements [print this page] Using Electrolysis To Isolate Elements Using Electrolysis To Isolate Elements
In Greek the term electrolysis means to separate. It is a process that uses a string current to drive chemical reactions. Without this stimulation, these reactions would otherwise not take place. The result is the separation of distinct elements contained in natural mixtures, like ore.
Three components are needed for this process. These include direct current, an electrolyte, and two electrodes. Mobile ions are contained within the electrolyte, and these ions carry electrical current energy. The supplied current must be strong enough to stimulate the ions in the electrolyte. The electrodes act as conductors and an interface between the electrolyte and the current. Electrodes are composed of materials with semiconducting properties, metal and graphite. All of these parts are essential for this process to be successful.
Energy is emitted across electrodes within a electrolyte. As a consequence, oppositely charged ions move to each electrode. As ions come into contact with the electrode, they either gain or lose electrons. As a consequence, they become either charged or uncharged. The ions that gain a charge move into the electrolyte. Ions that are uncharged separate and are discharged. This is how separation takes place.
Since the 1800s this process has been used in the segregation of different elements. Water was decomposed by electrolysis into its two components: oxygen and hydrogen. It also helped in the discoveries of barium, potassium, calcium, sodium and magnesium. Fluorine is an additional element discovered in this way as well.
Two processes were discovered using the mechanism of electrolysis to create specific substances. One if these is the Hall-Heroult process. This uses electrical currents in the production of aluminum. The Castner-Kellner procedure uses electricity to form sodium hydroxide. These are important in manufacturing and in chemistry.
This chemical procedure applies energy to form charged and uncharged ions, and then separates each. Consequently, it is a method used when elements need to be isolated. Its responsible for the discovery of multiple different substances.
The best well known use for electrolysis is permanent hair removal. This method of permanent hair removal is said to be better than laser hair removal because laser is only hair reduction and not permanent hair removal.
