The question was attempted by most candidates and the performance was good.
in part (a), candidates correctly defined reduction in term of electron transfer as the process of electron gain in (i), named carbon (II) oxide as the reducing agent in the reaction and mentioned hydrogen as another reducing agent that could be used in the reaction in (ii) I and II respectively.
In part (b) (i), candidates correctly named X and Y as electrolytic cell and electrochemical call/galvanic cell/voltonic cell respectively in I and II.
In part (b)(ii), only few candidates could correctly give two differences between X and Y. The expected responses from candidates were:
| X-(electrolytic cell ) |
Y – (electrochemical cell) |
| - Electric current is required for the reaction to occur. |
- chemical reaction produces electricity |
| - Electrons are forced/pushed by an external source such as battery. |
- electrons are produced as a result of oxidation at an electrode. |
Cathode is the negative electrode/anode is positive electrode. |
- cathode is the positive electrode/anode is the negative electrode. |
| Electrodes are in the same compartment. |
- electrodes are in separate compartments. |
In part (b)(iii), candidates knew that P was the anode in X and that R was the anode in Y. They also knew that T is the salt bride in (b)(iv).
In part (c)(i), candidates correctly stated that oxygen gas and hydrogen gas would be produced at the anode and cathode respectively. They also correctly wrote the equation for the reaction at each electrode in (ii) thus:
Anode : 4OH- → 2H2O + 4e- + O2
Cathode : 2H+ + 2e- → H2 / 2H2O+ + 2e- → 2H2O + H2
In part (c)(iii), candidates correctly calculated the quantity of electricity thus:
Q = It
t = [ (1 x 60 x 60 ) + (18 x 60 ) + 10 ] / [3600 + 1080 +10 ]
= 4690 s
Q = 0.5 x 4690 C
= 2345C
In part (c) (iv), few candidates were able to correctly mention two factors that could affect the quantity of products liberated at the electrodes from among the list.
- magnitude of the current
- charge on the ion being discharged
- time for passing the current
- atomic mass
In part (d) (i), candidates correctly gave two differences between a conductor and an electrolyte from among the following:
| Conductors |
Electrolytes |
| - are not decomposed by electric current |
- decomposed by the passage of electric current |
| - usually solid |
- are aqueous solution/ molten salts |
| - free electrons conduct current. |
- ions conduct electric current |
In (d)(ii), candidates knew one use of electrolysis. Hence, they correctly gave one use from among:
- electroplating
- production of some element/compounds
- purification of metal
- extraction of metals etc
