Chemical Effects of Electric Current: Know Meaning, Experiment, Applications

The phenomenon of the flow of charge between any two points is known as electric current. Electric current is also responsible for producing electric fields, magnetic fields and various chemical effects like electrochemical reactions. Chemical reactions in solutions that are caused by the conduction of electric current are known as chemical effects of electric current.

Read further to know more about the chemical effects of electric current, the role of conductors in the chemical effects of current and electricity and the conduction of electricity through chemical reactions.

Chemical Effects of Electric Current

Whenever an electric current is passed through a conducting solution, chemical reactions start taking place in the solution. This phenomenon is known as the chemical effect of electric current. British chemist William Nicholson conducted an experiment wherein he observed the generation of oxygen and hydrogen bubbles when electrodes were immersed in water and an electrical current was passed through it. Notably, he observed that the electrode linked to the negative terminal produced hydrogen bubbles, while the electrode connected to the positive terminal generated oxygen bubbles.

Let us take a look at some examples for better understanding:

• Formation of bubbles at electrodes
• Deposition of metal on electrodes
• Change in colour of the solution

Electroplating

At least one of these can be observed in a conducting solution, where chemical reactions are taking place. This was first discovered by William Nicholson, a British chemist.

In the image shown above, chemical reactions are taking place in the conducting solution. Copper is being electroplated on a brass electrode. One electrode is copper taken as an anode and the other is a brass electrode taken as a cathode. The electrolyte is a solution of copper sulphate. The current is passed through the conducting solution, it gets decomposed into ions. The copper ions carrying a positive charge are attracted to the brass electrode whereas the sulphur ions carrying a negative charge are attracted to the copper electrode.

The time taken for the completion of electroplating depends on the strength and concentration of the solution. This process is known as electroplating.

Applications of Electroplating

Some important applications of electroplating process are as follows:

• Electroplating is often used to improve the appearance of objects.
• It can serve as a protective barrier against corrosion.
• It is used in electronics and electrical industries to improve the electrical conductivity of components.

Role of Conductor in Chemical Effects of Electric Current

People must have observed that they are always advised to not touch any electrical appliance with wet or moist hands. This is because the human body is a good conductor of electricity and allows current to flow through the bodies. Touching an electrical appliance with wet or moist hands will get you an electric shock which can be very lethal in some cases.

Some good and bad conductors of electricity:

• Good conductors: Materials or substances that allow the electric current to flow through them are known as good conductors of electricity. For e.g. humans, copper, silver, gold, etc.
• Bad conductors: Materials or substances that do not allow the electric current to flow through them are known as bad conductors of electricity. For e.g. plastic, rubber, wood, glass, etc.

So it is important to use a good conductor as electrodes in the solution, in order to conduct electricity through the solution. If we use any bad or weak conductors, the current will not pass through the solution because there will not be any chemical reactions taking place in the solution.

Do Liquids Conduct Electricity?

Not all liquids possess the ability to conduct electricity. However, there is a distinction between liquids, as some exhibit strong electrical conductivity while others show poor electrical conductivity. For instance, water containing dissolved salts and minerals serves as an effective conductor of electricity, whereas distilled water, lacking such impurities, functions as a weak conductor of electricity.

The below table shows some liquids that are good and poor conductors of electricity.

Type of liquid	Good/Bad Conductor
Soda Compounds	Good Conductor
Lemon Juice	Good Conductor
Honey	Poor Conductor
Distilled water	Poor Conductor
Vinegar	Poor Conductor

Conduction of Electricity through Chemical Reactions

Whenever electricity is passed through a conducting solution (solution of acid and bases in water), a series of chemical reactions take place in the solution. This means that the solution conducts electricity because of the reactions taking place in it.

When an electric current is passed in the conducting solution, it gets decomposed into ions. Some ions carry a positive charge while others carry a negative charge. These ions are responsible for carrying the quantization of charge through the solution.

Uses of Chemical Effects of Electric Current

Chemical effects of electric current can be observed in various activities. Let us study some of these applications:

• Electroplating: The process of coating metal on a solid substance by reduction of cations of the metal, using electric currents known as electroplating.
• Electrolysis: The process of purifying metals by extracting impurities from them is known as electrolysis. Electrolysis is also used for the production of compounds and decomposition of compounds.
• Metallurgy: The extraction of pure metals from their ores is known as metallurgy.

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