A new era of electrochemistry started when
Humphry Davy (1778-1829), a British chemist, built a powerful battery to pass
electricity through molten salts. He discovered elements, such as potassium,
sodium, calcium and magnesium, by liberating them from their molten
compounds.
Swedish chemist, Svante Arrhenius, in 1887,
proposed the theory that acids, bases, and salts in water are composed of ions.
He also proposed a simple yet beautiful model of neutralization – the
combination of hydrogen and hydroxide ions to form water.
In this section, we examine the chemical
decomposition of substances by electrolysis, characteristic properties of acids,
bases and salts, and also their reactions with substances, the factors affecting
the rate of reaction and also the energy changes in a
reaction.
We should appreciate the importance of proper
laboratory techniques and precise calculations for accurate results, and the
importance of controlling variables in making comparisons. They should also
value the knowledge of the hazardous nature of acids/alkalis and the safe
handling, storing and disposing of chemicals.
6.2 Redox
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