Chemical Effects of Electric Current

Some of the examples of good conductors are metals like copper, aluminium while materials like rubber plastics are bad conductors of electricity. In the case of liquids, some liquids are good conductors of electricity while a couple of are bad conductors of electricity. The water obtained from sources like pumps, wells, ponds and tap aren't pure and contain several dissolved salts. Such water is a good conductor of electricity. While distilled water is free of salt and is a bad conductor of electricity.

Chemical Effects of Electric Current

Passage of current through chemical solutions causes chemical reactions to require place. Chemical effects include:

• Formation of gas bubbles at electrodes

• Deposition of metals at electrodes

• Changes in solution colour

Electrolysis can be defined as the process by which ionic substances are decomposed into simpler substances when an electrical current is skilled in them.

Current Test – Conductors

Conductor

Any material that permits an electrical current to undergo it's referred to as a conductor. Eg: metals like copper

Insulator (Bad Conductors)

Materials that don't allow the free flow of an electrical current through it are referred to as bad conductors or insulators. E.g: Rubber, plastic

Electric Circuit

• A closed-loop path which a current takes is understood as an electrical circuit.

• When the trail of the circuit is closed, the present flows through it, but when there's an opportunity within the path (switch is open) then, the circuit is open and is not conducting.

(Diagram)

Tester

A tester may be a piece of electrical all equipment wont to check the presence of electric current. It is usually a conductor with a led/bulb to point that the present is present within the circuit.

Current – Conducting Liquids

Conducting Liquid

• Liquids conduct electricity too when there are salts dissolved within the liquid

• Solutions of acids, bases or salts are the liquids that conduct electricity 

Acids, Bases and Salts

• Acids and bases are chemical substances that dissociate to make ions when dissolved during a solution. They are loyal conductors of electricity because of the presence of the ions.

• Water when dissolved in salt also conducts as they release positive/negatively charged ions.

Conduction of Electricity in the Water

• Distilled water may be a bad conductor of electricity due to the absence of dissolved salts and minerals.

• Water starts conducting when acids, bases or salts are dissolved that releases ions, which conduct when a possible difference is applied.

(Diagram)

Electrodes and Electrolyte

• A conductor, when immersed during a solution with its end connected to the terminals of A battery , thereby completing a circuit, is named as an electrode. There are usually 2 electrodes→ cathode(ve) and anode(+ve).

• An electrolyte is a solution in which the electrodes are submerged. They dissociate on the passage of electric current.

• The electrodes, electrolyte and therefore the battery together form the electrochemical/electrolytic cell.

Electroplating

• When electricity is used to deposit a layer of the desired metal to another metal, that process is termed as the Electroplating. 

• Example: Using copper sulfate solution as electrolyte and copper electrodes. Copper is electroplated on the negative electrode. The cubic inch the answer is replenished thanks to the addition of copper ions from the positive electrode.

(Diagram)

Applications of Electroplating

• Coating zinc on the iron to prevent corrosion and rust.

• Coating silver and gold for jewellery.

• Coating tin onto iron for cans as tin is a smaller amount reactive than iron.

• Chromium coating for car parts, bath fittings because it features a shiny appearance.