Electrolysis

Contents & notes: what this topic covers

Under Electrolysis, the JAMB Chemistry syllabus expects you to study:

• 10. Electrolysis
• (a) Electrolytes and non-electrolytes Faraday’s laws of electrolysis
• (b) (i) Electrolysis of dilute H2SO4, aqueous CuSO4, CuC12 solution, dilute and concentrated NaC1 solutions and fused NaC1
• (ii)Factors affecting discharge of ions at the electrodes
• (c) Uses of electrolysis: Purification of metals e.g. copper and production of elements and compounds (Al, Na, O2, Cl2 and NaOH)
• (d) Electrochemical cells: Electrochemical series (K, Ca ,Na, Mg,Al, Zn, Fe, Sn, Pb, H, Cu, Hg, Ag, Au) half-cell reactions and electrode potentials (Simple calculations only)
• (e) Corrosion as an electrolytic process, cathodic protection of metals, painting, electroplating and coating with grease or oil as ways of preventing iron from corrosion

Study notes & guidance

Study Electrolysis using a recommended Chemistry textbook that follows the JAMB syllabus. Work through the contents listed above one by one, make brief notes in your own words, and then practise as many questions on this topic as you can — in Chemistry, understanding and steady practice matter far more than memorising. Use the objectives below as a checklist: if you can do each one confidently, you have mastered this topic.

Objectives — candidates should be able to

After studying Electrolysis, you should be able to:

1. (i) distinguish between electrolytes and non- electrolytes; (ii) perform calculations based on faraday as mole of electrons; (iii) identify suitable electrodes for different electrolytes; (iv) specify the chemical reactions at the electrodes; (v) determine the products at the electrodes; (vi) identify the factors that affect the products of electrolysis; (vii) specify the different areas of application of electrolysis; (viii) state the significance of electrochemical series; (ix) identify the various electrochemical cells; (x) calculate electrode potentials using half- cell reaction equations; (xi) determine the different areas of application of electrolytic processes; and (xii) identify methods used in protecting metals.

These objectives are from the official JAMB syllabus. Use them as a checklist — if you can do each one confidently, you have mastered this topic.

Source: official JAMB UTME Chemistry syllabus (IBASS, jamb.gov.ng). Reproduced for study use. Last checked: 17 Sept 2026. Always confirm the current syllabus on the official portal.