Easy Mnemonics for Electrolysis, Electrolytic Cells & Factors Affecting Electrolysis
🔌 Electrolysis Mnemonics
Definition mnemonic:
“ELECTRO-LYsis: ELECTRicity to break LYses (bonds)”
🧠 Electrolysis is the process of using electricity to break chemical bonds.
Mnemonic for reactions at electrodes:
“OIL RIG – AN OX, RED CAT”
- OIL RIG = Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain
- AN OX = Anode is Oxidation
- RED CAT = Reduction at Cathode
⚡ Electrolytic Cell Mnemonics
Electrode charges:
“PANIC: Positive Anode, Negative Is Cathode”
✔️ In electrolytic cells:
- Anode = Positive
- Cathode = Negative
(⚠️ This is opposite in voltaic/galvanic cells!)
Mnemonic for Ion Movement:
“PANE and CANE”
- Positive ions (Cations) → move to the Negative electrode (Cathode)
- Negative ions (Anions) → move to the Positive electrode (Anode)
🔧 Factors Affecting Electrolysis Mnemonics
Use the acronym “CAVE” to remember key factors:
C – Concentration of ions
A – Area of electrodes
V – Voltage applied
E – Electrolyte nature (type of substance)
🧠 Additional tip: “Hot VAC”
V – Voltage,
A – Area,
C – Concentration,
Hot – Temperature (affects ion mobility)
