Question

Write a word equation to show how electricity breaks down lead bromide into its elements

Answer 1

The electrolysis of lead bromide is represented by the word equation: Lead bromide → Lead + Bromine, with 'elec' indicating the use of electricity. The equation is inherently balanced as bromine is diatomic (Br₂).

Step-by-step explanation:

The process of breaking down lead bromide into its elements using electricity is known as electrolysis. A word equation can be written to represent this decomposition reaction.

Lead bromide → Lead + Bromine

To indicate that electricity is being used to initiate the reaction, we place 'elec' above the reaction arrow. The reaction can be represented as follows:

Lead bromide (elec) → Lead + Bromine

Since both lead and bromine are elemental forms, they do not require balancing in this case. However, bromine is a diatomic molecule, so the correct formula would be Br₂, making the reaction also balanced by default.

Answer 2

A conducting liquid, containing ions, called the electrolyte (molten lead bromide), must contain the compound (lead bromide) that is being brokendown. The electricity must flow through electrodes dipped into theelectrolyte to complete the electricalcircuit with the battery.