Electrolysis (Faraday's Law) Calculator

Calculate mass, charge, current, or time for any electrolysis process.

Enter the known values below. Leave the field you want to calculate empty.

Electrolysis Calculator Examples

See how to use the calculator for different electrolysis scenarios.

Copper Electroplating

Mass of Substance

Calculate the mass of copper deposited when a current of 2.0 A is passed for 30 minutes (1800 s) through a copper(II) sulfate solution. Molar mass of Cu = 63.55 g/mol, n = 2.

Current (I): 2 A

Time (t): 30 s

Molar Mass (M): 63.55 g/mol

Valency (n): 2

Faraday Constant (F): 96485 C/mol

Total Charge (Q): C

Mass of Substance (m): g

Calculation Type: Mass of Substance (m)

Time Unit: Minutes (min)

Electrolysis of Water

Total Charge

Find the total charge required to produce 0.5 g of hydrogen gas (H2) by electrolysis. Molar mass = 2.016 g/mol, n = 2.

Current (I): A

Time (t): s

Molar Mass (M): 2.016 g/mol

Valency (n): 2

Faraday Constant (F): 96485 C/mol

Total Charge (Q): C

Mass of Substance (m): 0.5 g

Calculation Type: Total Charge (Q)

Time Unit: Seconds (s)

Required Current for Silver Deposition

Current

What current is needed to deposit 1.08 g of silver (Ag) in 10 minutes? Molar mass = 107.87 g/mol, n = 1.

Current (I): A

Time (t): 10 s

Molar Mass (M): 107.87 g/mol

Valency (n): 1

Faraday Constant (F): 96485 C/mol

Total Charge (Q): C

Mass of Substance (m): 1.08 g

Calculation Type: Current (I)

Time Unit: Minutes (min)

Time to Deposit Aluminum

Time

How long will it take to deposit 2.7 g of aluminum (Al) using a 5.0 A current? Molar mass = 26.98 g/mol, n = 3.

Current (I): 5 A

Time (t): s

Molar Mass (M): 26.98 g/mol

Valency (n): 3

Faraday Constant (F): 96485 C/mol

Total Charge (Q): C

Mass of Substance (m): 2.7 g

Calculation Type: Time (t)

Time Unit: Seconds (s)

Other Titles
Understanding Electrolysis (Faraday's Law) Calculator: A Comprehensive Guide
Master the science and math behind electrolysis calculations.

What is Electrolysis?

  • Definition and Principle
  • Faraday's Laws of Electrolysis
  • Key Terms and Units
Electrolysis is a chemical process that uses electrical energy to drive a non-spontaneous reaction. It is widely used in industry for extracting and purifying metals, producing chemicals, and more.
Faraday's Laws
Faraday's First Law states that the mass of a substance altered at an electrode during electrolysis is proportional to the quantity of electricity passed. The Second Law relates the mass of different substances altered by the same quantity of electricity.

Common Electrolysis Examples

  • Electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen and oxygen.
  • Copper electroplating for corrosion resistance.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Calculator

  • Input Selection
  • Calculation Types
  • Interpreting Results
Select the calculation type based on what you want to find: mass, charge, current, or time. Enter the known values and leave the target field empty.
Example Workflow
For example, to find the mass of copper deposited, enter the current, time, molar mass, and valency. The calculator will compute the result and show step-by-step details.

Step-by-Step Examples

  • Finding the required current for a given mass and time.
  • Calculating the time needed to deposit a certain mass.

Real-World Applications of Electrolysis

  • Industrial Uses
  • Laboratory Experiments
  • Environmental Impact
Electrolysis is used in metal extraction (e.g., aluminum, copper), water splitting for hydrogen production, and electroplating. It is also a key process in battery technology and chemical manufacturing.
Industry and Research
Understanding electrolysis calculations is essential for chemists, engineers, and students working in these fields.

Industrial & Research Examples

  • Aluminum production from bauxite ore.
  • Electrolysis in rechargeable batteries.

Common Misconceptions and Correct Methods

  • Misunderstanding Valency
  • Incorrect Unit Conversions
  • Neglecting Faraday Constant
A common mistake is using the wrong valency or forgetting to convert time units to seconds. Always check the units and use the correct Faraday constant for accurate results.
Tips for Accurate Calculations
Double-check all input values and units. Use the calculator's tooltips for guidance.

Common Mistakes

  • Entering minutes instead of seconds for time.
  • Using n=1 for copper(II) instead of n=2.

Mathematical Derivation and Examples

  • Faraday's Law Formula
  • Sample Calculations
  • Unit Analysis
The core formula is m = (M Q) / (n F), where Q = I * t. Rearranging allows you to solve for any variable. The calculator automates these steps and shows the math behind each result.
Worked Example
To deposit 0.5 g of hydrogen (H2), with M = 2.016 g/mol, n = 2, F = 96485 C/mol: Q = (m n F) / M = (0.5 2 96485) / 2.016 = 47877 C.

Mathematical Examples

  • Calculating mass from current and time.
  • Finding required charge for a given mass.