Questions Answers from Chapter 11

Objective Type Questions

Answers:
1. b, 2.d, 3.b, 4.b, 5.d
Fill in the blanks:
1.Good, 2. Incomplete, 3. Positive, 4.Electroplating, 5. Good, Lactic
Match Column A with B
1.c, 2.b, 3.e, 4.a, 5.d
Picture-Based Questions
Picture 1
Answers :
a. The object shown in the picture is an LED (Light Emitting Diode).
b. Its leads are connected to a battery by matching the positive terminal of the LED to the
positive terminal of the battery and the negative terminal to the negative side.
c. An LED is more efficient than a bulb because it consumes less electricity, has a longer
lifespan, and produces very little heat.
Picture 2
a. The process shown in the picture is electrolysis.
b. Electrode A is known as the anode, and electrode B is known as the cathode.
c. The scientific term for the liquid taken in the beaker is electrolyte.
d. Electrolysis is the process of decomposing a compound into its elements or simpler
compounds using an electric current.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is an electrode? How many types of electrodes are there?
Answer: An electrode is a conductor through which electricity enters or leaves a medium. There
are two types of electrodes: anode (positive) and cathode (negative).
2. What is an electrolyte?
Answer: An electrolyte is a substance that conducts electricity when dissolved in water or
melted.
3. Show with the help of a diagram that lemon juice is a good conductor of electricity.
(Check the Page No. 140/141 on textbook)
4. What happens when an electric current passes through a cut potato for a considerable time?
Answer: When electric current passes through a potato, colored spots appear around the
electrodes due to the formation of ions from the potato's compounds.
5. Give examples of the following:
Answer:
a. Solid Conductor: Copper, Aluminum
b. Liquid Insulator: Distilled Water, Oil
6. Why should we not touch an electric appliance with wet bare hands?
Answer: Water is a good conductor of electricity, and touching an electric appliance with wet
hands can cause an electric shock.
7. Give an example of the heating effect of current.
Answer: Electric iron or electric heater is an example of the heating effect of current.
8. Why is electroplated jewelry in popular demand?
Answer: Electroplated jewelry is in demand because it is affordable, durable, and looks like real
gold or silver.
9. Why is tap water always a good conductor of current?
Answer: Tap water contains dissolved salts and minerals, which make it a good conductor of
electricity.
10. Who was William Nicholson? What did he prove with his experiment?
Answer: William Nicholson was a scientist who discovered the process of electrolysis. He
demonstrated that water could be decomposed into hydrogen and oxygen using an electric
current.
11. Which metals are popularly used for electroplating other metals? Can we use chromium for
this purpose? Give reasons to support your answers.
Answer: Metals commonly used for electroplating:
Gold: For decorative purposes and to prevent corrosion.
Silver: For decorative purposes and to enhance electrical conductivity.
Copper: To improve conductivity and prevent corrosion.
Chromium: For its shiny appearance and resistance to wear and corrosion.
Zinc: To prevent rusting, especially in iron and steel.
Use of chromium: Yes, chromium can be used for electroplating. It is widely used to provide a
shiny, durable, and corrosion-resistant coating, especially in automobile parts, taps, and utensils.
Reason: Chromium is hard, lustrous, and has excellent corrosion resistance. Its electroplated
layer is thin but provides long-lasting protection.
12. Most liquids that conduct electricity are solutions of acids, bases, and salts. Justify the
statement.
Answer:
Explanation:
Acids, bases, and salts dissociate into ions when dissolved in water.These ions (positively
charged cations and negatively charged anions) are responsible for conducting electricity.Pure
water is a poor conductor because it lacks sufficient ions. Adding acids (e.g., HCl), bases (e.g.,
NaOH), or salts (e.g., NaCl) enhances conductivity by providing free ions.
For example, lemon juice (acid), soap solution (base), and saltwater conduct electricity due to
their ionic nature.
13. A child staying in a coastal region tests the tap water and the seawater with his tester. He
finds that the compass needle deflects more in the case of seawater. Can you explain the reason?
Answer:
Reason: Seawater contains a higher concentration of dissolved salts, mainly sodium chloride
(NaCl), than tap water.The higher salt content means more ions (Na⁺ and Cl⁻) are present in
seawater, making it a better conductor of electricity.When the tester is used, a stronger current
flows through seawater, causing a greater magnetic field and more deflection of the compass
needle compared to tap water.
14. What are the advantages and disadvantages of electroplating?
Answer:
Advantages:
Corrosion resistance: Protects metals from rust and corrosion (e.g., zinc coating on iron).
Enhanced appearance: Improves the aesthetics of objects (e.g., gold or silver plating).
Increased durability: Adds hardness and resistance to wear and tear (e.g., chromium plating).
Improved electrical conductivity: Beneficial for electronic components (e.g., copper or silver
plating).
Disadvantages:
Cost: Electroplating can be expensive due to the materials and process.
Environmental impact: Generates toxic waste, which can harm the environment if not disposed
of properly.
Uneven coating: Poorly controlled electroplating may result in uneven layers.
Brittleness: Electroplated layers can sometimes crack under stress.
15. Which type of testers can test even a weak current flow through a circuit? Explain using a
well-labelled diagram.
Answer:
A LED-based tester or a galvanometer can detect weak currents.
A LED tester lights up even with small currents, indicating the flow of electricity.
A galvanometer detects weak currents by showing needle deflection.
Diagram:

In the above circuit diagram an LED is connected to test the flow of current in circuit when
switch is on. Positive pole of battery is connected to longer end and negative pole of battery is
connected to shorter end of LED. When electric current low through the LED it will glow.
16. What is an electrolyte? Provide an example.
Answer: An electrolyte is a substance that produces ions when dissolved in water or melted,
allowing the solution to conduct electricity. Example: Sodium chloride (NaCl) in water.
17. Why is pure water a poor conductor of electricity? How can its conductivity be improved?
Answer: Pure water is a poor conductor of electricity because it lacks free ions. Its conductivity
can be improved by adding salts, acids, or bases to provide free ions.
18.Define electroplating. What are its practical applications?
Answer: Electroplating is the process of depositing a thin layer of metal onto the surface of
another material using an electric current.
Practical applications:
Preventing corrosion (e.g., coating iron with zinc).
Improving appearance (e.g., gold plating jewelry).
Enhancing durability and wear resistance.
19. Explain why a bulb glows when connected to a solution in a conductivity tester.
Answer: A bulb glows when connected to a solution in a conductivity tester if the solution is a
good conductor of electricity, allowing current to flow and light the bulb.
20. Why is it dangerous to touch electrical appliances with wet hands?
Answer: Wet hands reduce resistance due to the presence of water, which conducts electricity.
This increases the risk of electric shock.
21. How can you test if a given liquid is a good conductor of electricity?
Answer: You can test a liquid by connecting it in a circuit with a bulb. If the bulb glows, the
liquid is a good conductor. Alternatively, you can use a conductivity tester.
22.State two factors that affect the conductivity of an electrolyte.
Answer: Concentration of ions: Higher ion concentration increases conductivity.
Temperature: Higher temperatures generally increase ion mobility and conductivity.
23. Why are non-metals like graphite good conductors of electricity, while most other non-
metals are not?
Answer: Graphite is a good conductor of electricity because it has free-moving electrons due to
its unique structure. Most other non-metals lack free electrons or ions, making them poor
conductors.

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