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MLP

Chemical Effects of Electric Current

Conduction of Electricity
Similar to many solids, some liquids also conduct electricity.
Conductor: Substances which allow electricity to pass through them are called conductors; such as
silver, gold, acidic solution, salt solution, etc.
Insulator: Substances which do not allow electric current to pass through them are called insulators;
such as plastic, rubber, etc.
Good conductor and Bad Conductor:
Substances which allow electric current to pass through them easily are called good conductors of
electricity; such as silver, gold, aluminium, etc.
Some substances allow electric current to pass through them but in very little amount. Therefore, such
substances called bad conductors of electricity, rather than being called as insulator.
In fact, most of the substances allow electric current to pass through them under certain conditions, so
instead of using terms conductors and insulators, good conductors and bad conductors are used.
Testing of conduction of electricity through liquid:
Liquids; which contain salt dissolved in them; conduct electricity. The conduction of electricity through a
liquid can be tested using two electrodes and a bulb.
But the conduction of electricity through the liquids which are poor conductor cannot be tested using
bulb. But conduction of electricity through such liquids can be tested using LED or magnetic compass
needle.
For this, you need a compass needle, an empty matchbox, two electric cells, some wires, a plastic bottle
cap and the liquid which is to be tested. Keep the compass needle inside the empty tray of matchbox
and wrap a couple of rubber bands around it. Connect the wires to the battery and insert two wires in
the liquid which is kept in the plastic bottle cap. You will observe that when the current flows through
the wire, there is deflection in the compass needle. This shows that the given liquid conducts electricity.
In fact, magnetic compass needle can detect even feeble current. LED can also be used in place of
compass needle.

Salts dissolved in water are responsible for conduction of electricity through water. Tap water, acid
solutions, basic solutions, etc. are good conductors of electricity. Distilled water is poor conductor of
electricity because no salt is present in distilled water.
Chemical Effects of Electric Current
When electric current is passed through a conducting solution, some chemical reactions take place.
Example: -
(a) When electric current is passed through water, it dissociates into hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen is
deposited over negative pole and oxygen is deposited over positive pole. Deposition of hydrogen and
oxygen at different poles is visible in the form of bubbles.
(b) When electric current is passed through the solution of a metal salt, such as solution of copper
sulphate, metal gets deposited at the negative pole, because metal is positively charged.

(c) Sometimes, the colour of solution also changes when electric current passes through it.
The above examples are some of the chemical effects of electric current. The chemical reaction depends
upon the type of solution through which electric current is passed.

Electroplating:
Electroplating is an application of the chemical effects of electric current. Electroplating is a chemical
process using which a metal is coated with a layer of another desired metal. Electroplating is done to
make the metals shiny. Electroplating is done over the articles made of iron to make the iron shiny and
to prevent iron from getting rusted.
Example
Wheel rims, handle of cycle, etc. are made shiny by the method of electroplating.
Process of electroplating:
In the process of electroplating, metal salt solution is taken in a container. Salt of metal is chosen which
is to be coated over another metal. Metal which is to be coated is dipped in the solution and connected
with negative pole. Metal for desired coating is connected with positive pole.

When electric current is passed through the solution, metal from anode is dissolved in the salt solution
and deposited over the negative pole (cathode). Thus, coating of desired metal is obtained on another
metal.
Use of electroplating:
(a) Rims of wheel of cycle, cars, etc. are electroplated with chromium metal. Layer of chromium metal
give them shiny appearance and prevents from rust.
(b) Ornaments made of silver or other cheap metals are electroplated with gold to give them
appearance like gold.
(c) Tin cans used for storing food are made of iron, electroplating with a coat of tin. Tin is less reactive
than iron, and prevent foods packed in them from getting spoiled.
HLP
Q 1.When an electric current passes through a cut potato for a considerable time, a colored spot is
formed around one of the electrodes
A) What is the color of spot?
B) Around which electrode the color spot is formed?
C) Which effect of electric current is involved in this case?
Ans1 : A) Bluish green
B) Anode
C) Chemical effect of current

Q2. Is it safe for an electrician to carry out electric repairs outdoor during heavy downpour? Explain
why?
Ans2. No, he will get electric shock as rain water is a conductor of electricity.

WEBLINKS-:-Ch-14;Chemical effects of electric current

https://youtu.be/zWJsvcF9cAQ
https://www.slideshare.net/funlovinggirlhp/chemical-effects-of-electric-current-64483956

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