14.

Chemical Effects of Electric Current

Very Short Answer Type Questions

1. Question

Do liquids also conduct electricity?

Answer

Liquids do conduct electricity, when they have free ions available like in case
of Acids, Bases and Salts being dissolved in water.

2. Question

Name two liquids which conduct electricity and two liquids which do not
conduct electricity.

Answer

Tap water and lemon water conduct electricity, this happens because tap
water. while distilled water and wine do not conduct electricity.

3. Question

Name a device which glows even when a weak electric current passes
through it.

Answer

A Light Emitting Diode (LED) glows even when a weak electric current
passes through it.

4. Question

Write the full form of LED.

Answer

Light emitting Diode (LED)

5. Question

How would you classify lemon juice- a good conductor or a poor conductor
of electricity?

Answer
Lemon juice is a good conductor of electricity. Lemon is a citrus fruit
containing citric acid. Acids give H+ ions when dissolved in water, these free
cations and anions make lemon juice a good conductor.

6. Question

Vinegar is a sour liquid. State whether vinegar will conduct electricity or not.

Answer

Vinegar is a poor conductor of electricity because it does not have any free
ions to carry electric charge and conduct electricity.

7. Question

What effect does an electric current produce when lowing through a

conducting liquid (or conducting solution)?

Answer

When electric current passes through a conducting liquid, it gets decomposed

into ions.

The conducting solution has free ions available which conduct electricity.

8. Question

When electric current is passed through acidi ied water, then hydrogen and
oxygen are formed. What type of effect of current is illustrated by this
statement?

Answer

When electric current is passed through acidi ied water, it dissociates water
into H+ and OH- ions. This process is called chemical effect.

9. Question

Acidi ied water is electrolyzed by using carbon electrodes. What is produced

at:

(a) positive carbon electrode?

(b) negative carbon electrode?

Answer

(a) Oxygen Gas is produced at positive carbon electrode.

(b) Hydrogen gas is produced as negative carbon electrode.

10. Question
Give one example of the chemical effect of electric current.

Answer

When an electric current is passed through a conducting solution, then

chemical reactions take place in the solution. These chemical reactions cause
chemical effects in the solution.Example: When an electric current is passed
through water, then water dissociates into hydrogen and oxygen. The
chemical reaction is shown below: H2O → H+ (aq) + OH- (aq)

11. Question

What should be done to decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen?

Answer

Electric current must be passed through water to decompose water into

hydrogen and oxygen.

12. Question

Name the process in which a coating of one metal can be deposited on the
surface of another metal by using current from a battery.

Answer

Electroplating is the process in which a coating of one metal can be deposited

on the surface of another metal by using current from a battery. The metal
that needs to be deposited is used as the cathode while the metal on which it
is deposited is used as anode. We use the salt of the cathode as the
electrolyte.

13. Question

Name the metal which is usually electroplated on car parts such as bumpers
and bicycle handlebars made of steel.

Answer

Chromium is electroplated on car parts such as bumpers and bicycle

handlebars made of steel.

14. Question

Which metal is electroplated on iron for making 'cans' used for storing food?

Answer

Tin is electroplated on iron for making 'cans' used for storing food.

15. Question

Name two metal objects which have a coating of another metal.

Answer

Chromium is electroplated on other metals.

Gold is electroplated on other cheap metals.

16. Question

Name the most common application of the chemical effect of electric current.

Answer

The two most common examples of the chemical effect of electric current
are:

1) Gold Coating on cheap metals

2) Electroplating of chromium metal to avoid corrosion.

17. Question

Name two metals which are usually electroplated on cheaper metals for
making jewelry (or ornaments).

Answer

Gold and silver are electroplated on cheaper metals for making jewelry or
ornaments.

18. Question

Which is the polluting waste generated by electroplating factories?

Answer

The conducting solution used in the electroplating process is the waste

generated by electroplating factories.

19. Question

Give a list of ive objects around you which are electroplated.

Answer

The list of ive objects around you which are electroplated is:

1) Kitchen utensils.

2) Jewelry

3) Car parts

4) Cans
5) Taps

20. Question

Name two metals which are puri ied by using the chemical effect of current
(or electrolysis).

Answer

Copper and Gold are puri ied by using the chemical effect of current (or
electrolysis).

21. Question

Name two metals which are produced (or extracted) by using the chemical
effect of electric current.

Answer

Carbon and hydrogen are extracted by using the chemical effect of electric
current.

22. Question

Name one chemical compound which is produced by using the chemical

effect of electric current.

Answer

Copper sulphate is one chemical compound which is produced by using the

chemical effect of electric current.

23. Question

Name one compound which is decomposed into hydrogen and oxygen by

using the chemical effect of electric current.

Answer

Water is one compound which is decomposed into hydrogen and oxygen by

using the chemical effect of electric current.

24. Question

State whether the following statements are true or false :

(a) Rainwater is a non-conductor of electricity.

(b) A piece of fresh potato does not conduct electricity at all.

Answer
(a) False. Rainwater is a conductor of electricity because it has dissolved ions
that conduct electricity.

(b) False. A piece of fresh potato conduct electricity at all because it does not
have ions to conduct electricity.

25. Question

Fill in the following blanks with suitable words:

(a) Most liquids that conduct electricity are solutions of ..........., ......... and ............

(b) LED glows even when a ..............electric current passes through it.

(c) The passage of an electric current through a conducting solution

causes.............effect.

(d) When electric current is passed through acidi ied water, then
........and...........are formed.

(e) The process of depositing a layer of any desired metal on another metal
by means of electricity is called ..........

(f) If you pass current through copper sulphate solution, copper gets
deposited on the plate connected to the ............terminal of the battery.

Answer

(a) Most liquids that conduct electricity are solutions of acids, base and
salts.

(b) LED glows even when a low electric current passes through it.

(c) The passage of an electric current through a conducting solution causes

chemical effect.

(d) When electric current is passed through acidi ied water, then hydrogen
and oxygen are formed.

(e) The process of depositing a layer of any desired metal on another metal
by means of electricity is called electroplating.

(f) If you pass current through copper sulphate solution, copper gets
deposited on the plate connected to the negative terminal of the battery.

Short Answer Type Questions

26. Question

Which of the following liquids conduct electricity and which do not conduct
electricity?
Lemon juice, Milk, Vinegar, Common salt solution, Sulphuric acid solution,
Sugar solution, Distilled water, Honey, Sea water, Rainwater.

Answer

Lemon juice, Milk, Vinegar, common salt solution, Sulphuric acid solution, Sea
water, and Rainwater conduct electricity.

Sugar solution, Distilled water and Honey do not conduct electricity.

27. Question

Why is it dangerous to touch a working electrical appliance with wet hands?

Answer

Because wet hands have water and water is a good conductor of electricity. A
person can get electric shock if he touches any electrical appliances with wet
hands.

28. Question

What is the advantage of using LED in testing the electrical conductivity of

liquids ?

Answer

The advantage of using LEDs is because, they glow up even if very small
amount of current passes through them.

29. Question

Which effect of electric current is utilized for detecting the low of current
through a solution:

(a) when a torch bulb is used?

(b) when a compass is used?

Answer

(a) Heating effect of current is used detecting the low of current through a
solution.

(b) Magnetic effect of current is used detecting the low of current through a
solution.

30. Question

What happens to the needle of a compass kept nearby when electric current
is switched on in a wire? Why does this happen?

Answer
The current carrying wire behaves like a magnet and it will cause de lection
of the needle of the compass. This is called magnetic effect of electric current.

31. Question

Explain why, distilled water does not conduct electricity but tap water
conducts some electricity.

Answer

Distilled water does not conduct electricity because it does not contain any
ions which make it conducting. But it can conduct electricity when a pinch of
common salt is added to it, as salt solution is conducting in nature.

32. Question

Distilled water does not conduct electricity. What substances can be added to
distilled .water in small amounts to make it a good conductor of electricity?
Why?

Answer

Lemon solution, salt, vinegar, sulphuric acid etc. can be added to added to
distilled .water in small amounts to make it a good conductor of electricity.
Because distilled water does not contain any ions which make it conducting.
But adding these will provide free ions for conducting solution.

33. Question

Which of the two is a better conductor of electricity: drinking water (tap

water) or sea water? Give reason for your answer.

Answer

Sea water is a better conductor because it contains sodium and chloride ions
in large amounts. These ions make the solution conducting and thus, sea
water is considered better conductor than the tap water which does not
contain ions in large amounts.

34. Question

Why does a brand new bicycle have shining handlebar and wheel rims? What
will happen if these are accidently scratched?

Answer

The shining coating is done on the metal by electroplating. When these are
accidently scratched then, the metal will be rusted due to presence of air. So,
by some metal these are coated so as to avoid rusting of iron mainly used to
build the handlebars and wheel rims.

35. Question
Is it safe for the electrician to carry out electrical repairs outdoors during
heavy downpour? Explain.

Answer

No, it is very risky and unsafe for the electrician to carry out electrical
repairs outdoors during heavy downpour because rain water is conducting in
nature as it contains dissolved salts. The electrician may get electrical shocks
while working outdoors during rain as water may conduct electricity.

36. Question

When the free ends of a conductivity tester (made by using a battery

connected to a wire wound around a compass) are dipped into a solution, the
magnetic needle shows de lection. Can you give the reason for this de lection.

Answer

Because the free ends of a conductivity tester are dipped into a conducting
solution then, it behaves like a current carrying wire and a current carrying
wire behaves as a magnet because it produces magnetic ield around it. And,
due to this there is de lection in the compass.

37. Question

A beaker contains an acidi ied copper sulphate solution. A copper plate and a
carbon rod are kept in this copper sulphate solution. The copper plate is
connected to the positive terminal of a battery whereas the carbon rod is
connected to the negative terminal of the battery. What will you observe
when an electric current is passed through this set-up for a considerable
time?

Answer

The carbon is a non-metal which is more reactive than copper. When, an

electric current is passed through this set-up for a considerable time, then
carbon replaces copper ions from solutions and they deposit on the negative
electrode. Thus, a red-brown layer of copper metal will be deposited on the
carbon rod connected to the negative terminal of the battery.

38. Question

Does pure water conduct electricity? If not, what can we do to make it

conducting?

Answer

No. Pure water does not conduct electricity. Pure water does not contain any
ions which make it conducting. But it can conduct electricity when a pinch of
common salt is added to it, as salt solution is conducting in nature.

39. Question
In case of a ire, before the iremen use the water hoses to throw water to
douse ire, they shut off the electricity supply for the area. Explain why this is
done.

Answer

In case of a ire, before the iremen use the water hoses, they shut off the main
electrical supply for the area because water may conduct electricity. If the
electrical supply for the area is not shut off and water is poured over
electrical appliances, then electricity may pass through water and harm the
iremen.

40 A. Question

Which effect of electric current is utilized when a thin layer of chromium

metal is deposited on an iron tap? What is this process known as?

Answer

This is called chemical effect of heating and the process is called as

electroplating.

40 B. Question

For electroplating copper on an iron object, which terminal of the battery

(positive or negative) is connected to the iron object? Also name the
electrolyte you will use for this purpose.

Answer

In the process of electroplating, the metal to be electroplated is taken as

cathode and the one used for coating is chosen as the anode. And, we know,
anode is positive terminal and the cathode is negative terminal. Thus,
negative terminal will be connected to the iron object.

Long Answer Type Questions

41 A. Question

What is meant by the chemical effect of electric current? Explain with the
help of an example.

Answer

When electric current passes through any conducting solution, then chemical
reactions take place inside the conducting solution. This effect is called as
chemical effect of electric current. Example, electroplating. The process of
depositing a layer of any desired metal on another material by means of
electricity is called electroplating.

41 B. Question
Name any two applications of the chemical effect of electric current.

Answer

1. Chromium plating is done on metals body parts of cars, bikes, cycles, etc.

2. Gold and silver plating is done on the arti icial jewelry.

41 C. Question

What is electrolysis? Explain why, in the electrolysis of water, 'acidi ied

water' is used.

Answer

Electrolysis is the process of dissociation of water molecules into H+ and OH-

ions. When electric current Is passed through it in a conducting state.
Because water does not have much higher concentration of ions. Dilute
sulphuric acid is added to increase the concentration of ions in the water.

42 A. Question

Name three types of substances in which an electric current can produce a

chemical effect.

Answer

The three types of substances in which an electric current can produce a

chemical effect.

1) Water

2) Copper sulphate

3) Vinegar.

42 B. Question

State some of the characteristics of chemical changes brought about by the

chemical effect of electric current.

Answer

The some of the characteristics of chemical changes brought about by the

chemical effect of electric current:

1) The solution colour changes might take place.

2) The bubbles evolve through the solution.

3) The chemical deposition of one metal and replacement of the other metal.

42 C. Question
Why does an electric bulb glow when a current passes through it?

Answer

The electric bulb glows because it completes the circuit when put in the
conducting solution and the conducting solution helps to glow the bulb.

43 A. Question

What is meant by electroplating? What is the purpose of electroplating?

Answer

The process of coating of a layer of any metal over other metal is called
electroplating.

The purpose of electroplating is to provide the shiny appearance, rust free

metal surface etc.

Example - 1. Chromium plating is done on metals body parts of cars, bikes,

cycles, etc.

2. Gold and silver plating is done on the arti icial jewelry.

43 B. Question

Which properties of chromium metal make it suitable for electroplating it on

car bumpers, bath taps and bicycle handlebars, etc., made of iron?

Answer

The chromium metal is suitable for electroplating it on car bumpers, bath

taps and bicycle handlebars, etc., made of iron because it is corrosion
resistant and also gives shiny appearance.

44. Question

A strip of impure copper metal is given to you. Describe brie ly how you will
purify it by using the chemical effect of electric current. Draw a labelled
diagram of the experimental set up used for this purpose.

Answer

Copper ion is positively charged. It will be attracted towards the plate which
is connected to the negative terminal of the battery. Because positive charges
attract negative charges and repel positive charges.
As copper ions from the impure copper electrode are transferred to the thin
copper plate, this thin pure copper plate must be connected to the negative
terminal of the battery. Consequently, impure copper rod is connected to the
positive terminal of the battery. In this way, pure copper is deposited on the
negative electrode i.e. cathode.

45. Question

With the help of a labelled diagram, describe brie ly how an iron key can be
electroplated with copper.

Answer

We need two electrodes made from different conducting materials (here

copper and iron as anode and cathode respectively), an electrolyte, and an
electricity supply. The iron key will be taken as the cathode (negative
electrode ) and the copper to be electroplated on iron key to be made the
anode (positive electrode). When we open the electricity, then copper ions
are deposited on the negative electrode and in this way copper is
electroplated on the iron key.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

46. Question

In an activity to check the conduction of electricity through two liquids

labelled A and B by using a bulb, it is observed that the bulb glows brightly
for liquid A while it glows very dimly for liquid B.

A. Liquid A is a better conductor than liquid B

B. Liquid B is a better conductor than liquid A

C. Both liquids are equally conducting

D. Conducting properties of liquids cannot be compared in this manner

Answer

Because current lows more easily throughout liquid A than B. Thus, A is a

better conductor than liquid B.

47. Question

Which of the following does not conduct electricity?

A. Vinegar solution

B. Sugar solution

C. Lemon juice solution

D. Caustic soda solution

Answer

Sugar solution does not contain any ions. Thus, it does not conduct
electricity.

48. Question

Which of the following metals should be electroplated on a tif in box made of

steel?

A. copper

B. chromium

C. silver

D. tin

Answer

Tin should be electroplated on a tif in box made of steel as it is non-corrosive.

49. Question

Which of the following metals are produced by the electrolysis of their

molten compounds ?
A) Copper

B) Silver

C) Aluminium

D) Sodium

A. A and B

B. Band C

C. C and D

D. only D

Answer

Both Aluminum and Sodium metals are produced by the electrolysis of their
molten compounds because they are not freely available. They need to be
extracted from their sources.

50. Question

Which of the following types of energy can be used to decompose water into
its elements?

A. heat energy

B. light energy

C. chemical energy

D. electrical energy

Answer

Electrical energy is used to decompose water into its elements i.e. hydroxide
(OH-) and (H+) ions.

51. Question

Which of the following compounds is manufactured by using the chemical

effect of electric current?

A. ammonium hydroxide

B. sodium carbonate

C. magnesium hydroxide

D. sodium hydroxide
Answer

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is manufactured by using the chemical effect of

electric current when a sodium salt is electrolysed.

52. Question

Which of the following objects should not be chrome-plated ?

A. car bumper

B. gas stove

C. frying pan

D. bicycle bell

Answer

Frying pan should not be chrome-plated because it can enter the body by
mixing in the food which can prove to be dangerous for the body.

53. Question

Which of the following is a weak electrolyte ?

A. carbonic acid

B. sodium hydroxide

C. copper sulphate

D. nitric acid

Answer

Carbonic acid is a weak electrolyte because it does not completely dissociate

into the aqueous solution.

54. Question

Electrolytes conduct electricity due to the movement of:

A. electrodes

B. atoms

C. electrons

D. ions

Answer
Electrolytes conduct electricity due to the movement of ions. Because
positive and negative ions conduct electricity.

55. Question

Non-metals are generally non-conductors of electricity. The non-metal whose

one of the forms can be used to make electrodes in electrolysis experiments
is:

A. iodine

B. carbon

C. silicon

D. phosphorus

Answer

The non-metal whose one of the forms can be used to make electrodes in
electrolysis experiments is Carbon and the form is graphite form. We come
across graphite electrodes because it is a good conductor.

56. Question

The decomposition produced by passing current through a conducting liquid

is called:

A. dialysis

B. hydrolysis

C. electrolysis

D. electroplating

Answer

Electrolysis is the decomposition produced by passing current through a

conducting liquid. The solution is dissociated into ions.

57. Question

Which of the following is not an application of the chemical effect of electric

current?

A. electroplating of metals

B. puri ication of metals

C. decomposition of elements

D. decomposition of compounds
Answer

Decomposition of elements is not an application of the chemical effect of

electric current. Electroplating, puri ication and decomposition of
compounds can be done with the help of chemical effect of electric current.

58. Question

One of the following is not used for electroplating metal articles. This one is :

A. nickel

B. chromium

C. sodium

D. silver

Answer

Sodium is not used for electroplating metal articles. Because it is a corrosive

metal.

59. Question

An arrangement having two carbon rods kept in a conducting liquid in a

vessel is known as:

A. rechargeable cell

B. storage cell

C. biological cell

D. electrolytic cell

Answer

An electrolytic cell is an arrangement having two carbon rods kept in a

conducting liquid in a vessel. This is the process setup for the electrolysis of
electrolytes.

60. Question

Which of the following effects is not prodused by the chemical reactions

brought about by an electric current?

A. bubbles of gases on electrodes

B. deposits of metals on electrodes

C. change in color of solution

D. formation of a precipitate

Answer

Formation of a precipitate is not produced by the chemical reactions brought

about by an electric current. Because it does not involves any chemical
reaction but involves chemical changes in the solutions

61. Question

Which of the following can be electroplated with chromium ?

A) Bakelite B) Graphite

C) Steel D) Te lon

A. A and B

B. B and C

C. only C

D. B and D

Answer

Graphite and Steel can be electroplated with chromium. Chrome plating is

not done on graphite and steel electrodes.

62. Question

In order to obtain a coating of silver metal on a lower vase made of copper,

the electrolyte has to be:

A. silver nitrate solution

B. copper nitrate solution

C. sodium nitrate solution

D. copper sulphate solution

Answer

In order to obtain a coating of silver metal on a lower vase made of copper,

the electrolyte has to be silver nitrate solution. Because the silver ions will
come from the electrolyte.

63. Question

The process of puri ication of an impure metal is like:

A. electroplating a metal on the same type of metal

B. electroplating a metal on another type of metal

C. producing a chemical compound by electrolysis

D. decomposing a chemical compound by electrolysis.

Answer

The process of puri ication of an impure metal is like electroplating a metal

on the same type of metal. The pure metal is removed and deposited on the
pure metal.

64. Question

The device which can be used to detect very small current lowing in an
electric circuit is:

A. LEAD

B. dB

C. MCB

D. LED

Answer

LED Light emitting diode is used to detect very small current lowing in an
electric circuit.

65. Question

If plus sign (+) denotes the positive electrode and minus sign (-) denotes the
negative electrode, then which of the following statement is correct for an
iron spoon to be copper-plated ?

A. Iron spoon (+),copper plate(-), Iron sulphate electrolyte

B. Iron spoon(-), copper plate(+), Iron sulphate electrolyte

C. Copper plate(-), Iron spoon(+), Copper sulphate electrolyte

D. Copper plate(+), Iron spoon(-), Copper sulphate electrolyte

Answer

Copper plate(+), Iron spoon(-), Copper sulphate electrolyte is the correct

setup combination for electroplating. Because the anode is made the metal to
be deposited and cathode to the one on which it is electroplated.

Questions Based on High Order Thinking Skills (HOTS)

66. Question
A student staying in a coastal region tests the drinking water and also the sea
water 'With a circuit in which a part of the connecting wire is wound around
a matchbox containing compass. He inds that the compass needle de lects
more in the case of sea water. Can you explain the reason?

Answer

Sea water is a better conductor because it contains sodium and chloride ions
in large amounts. These ions make the solution conducting and thus, sea
water is considered better conductor than the drinking water which does not
contain ions. The ions of drinking water are removed while removed while
purifying it.

67. Question

When an electric current is passed through a cut potato for a considerable

time, a coloured spot is formed around one of the electrodes :

(a) What is the colour of the spot?

(b) Around which electrode (positive or negative electrode) the coloured

spot is formed?

(c) Which effect of electric current is involved in this case?

Answer

(a) The spot color is Greenish blue.

(b) The coloured spot is formed around the positive electrode.

(c) This is known as Chemical effect.

68. Question

In the process of puri ication of copper metal, a thin plate of pure copper and
a thick rod of impure copper are used as electrodes, and a metal salt solution
is used as an electrolyte:

(a) Which electrode is connected to the positive terminal of the battery?

(b) Which electrode is connected to the negative terminal of the battery?

(c) Which metal salt solution is taken as electrolyte?

Answer

(a) Thick rod of impure copper is connected to the positive terminal of the
battery.

(b) Thin plate of pure copper is connected to the negative terminal of the
battery.
(c) Copper sulphate solution is taken as electrolyte.

69. Question

A student had heard that rainwater is as good as distilled water. So, he

collected some rainwater in a clean glass beaker and tested it. To his surprise
he found that the compass needle showed de lection. What could be the
reason?

Answer

Rain water can collect salts from the atmosphere has some dissolved salts
whereas the distilled water does not. Thus, the rainwater showed the
de lection because it conducts electricity.

70. Question

Name three liquids which when tested in the manner shown in igure given
along side may cause the magnetic needle of compass to de lect.

Answer

The Liquids that conduct electricity will cause the magnetic needle to de lect
because the electric current is capable of producing magnetic effect. The
liquids like lemon juice, salt water and vegetable oil allow electricity to pass
through them. Hence, these liquids can be used as in the beaker to show the
given effect.