e- Transfer Theory Electrons move from the anode to the cathode (from the SRA to the SOA)
Electrical Current (I) The movement of electrons produces and electric current (I) which is measured in Amperes = 1 coulomb/sec.
Charge (Q) Charge is the product of current and time (measured in coulombs) Q = It
Q = charge in Coulombs I = current in Amperes (coulombs/second) t = time in Seconds
Faraday’s constant The value of the electric charge carried by one mole of electrons (or the molar charge of electrons) F = 9.65x10 4 C/mol e-
The number of moles of e- can be found using electric charge and Faraday’s constant n e- = Q F
Q = It n e- = It F
By finding the moles of electrons, we can find the mass of the product produced in a cell!!!
Example To find the mass of copper produced by an electrolytic cell in 1 hour at 4.0A Cu2+(aq) + 2e- Cu(s)
Example 2: In the electrolysis of silver, the electrolytic cell is operating at 5.00A. How long must it run to produce 4.0g of Ag(s) at the cathode? Ag+(aq) + 1e- Ag(s)