Wednesday, August 10, 2011

How do alkali and acid accelerate electricity conduction in water during eletrolysis?

Alkali and acid accelerate electricity conduction in water during eletrolysis due to a thing called hydroxy or acid switching / flipping (don't know if this is the right term). Water contsists of then broken down HO- ions and H+ ions. If more H+ or HO- is added to water they will form weak bonding between the H+ and the oxygen on the water or in the case of OH- they will bond with the hydrogens. Then a curret is ped through the solution the electrons travel from one electrode to the other. With pure water the electrons will travel slowly. But with added H+ or -OH the electrons can flip to the next water molecule has the these weak bonds are formed into real bonds, this leaves the next molecule with a charge inbalance and plus it loses a H+ or HO- which then forms a weak interaction with the next water molecule in line. This happens until the electron has travel from one electrode to the other and plus greatly increases the speed of conduction through water.

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