Electrolysis Calculator
Free Electrolysis Calculator for electrochemistry. Enter variables to compute results with formulas and detailed steps.
Calculator
Adjust values & calculateFormula
The mass deposited (m) equals current (I) times time (t) times molar mass (M), divided by the number of electrons per ion (n) times Faraday's constant (F = 96,485 C/mol). This is the quantitative form of Faraday's first law of electrolysis.
Last reviewed: December 2025
Worked Examples
Example 1: Copper Electroplating
Example 2: Aluminum Production
Background & Theory
The Electrolysis Calculator applies the following established principles and formulas. Chemistry is the science of matter's composition, structure, properties, and transformations. At the heart of quantitative chemistry lies the mole concept. One mole of any substance contains exactly 6.022ร10ยฒยณ entities (Avogadro's number, Nโ), and the molar mass of an element or compound in grams per mole is numerically equal to its atomic or molecular mass in atomic mass units. This allows chemists to convert between measurable mass and the number of reacting particles. Stoichiometry uses balanced chemical equations to relate the amounts of reactants and products. A balanced equation conserves both mass and charge. Molarity, the most common concentration unit, is defined as M = n/V, where n is moles of solute and V is volume of solution in liters, giving units of mol/L. Acidity and basicity are quantified by the pH scale, defined as pH = โlogโโ[Hโบ], where [Hโบ] is the molar concentration of hydrogen ions. Pure water at 25ยฐC has pH 7.00; acids have lower values and bases higher values. Each unit change represents a tenfold change in hydrogen ion concentration. Gas behavior is described by the ideal gas law PV = nRT, where P is pressure in pascals, V is volume in cubic meters, n is moles, R = 8.314 J/(molยทK), and T is temperature in kelvin. Special cases include Boyle's Law (PโVโ = PโVโ at constant temperature) and Charles's Law (Vโ/Tโ = Vโ/Tโ at constant pressure). Thermochemistry quantifies heat changes in reactions through enthalpy, H. Hess's Law states that the total enthalpy change for a reaction is the sum of enthalpy changes for any sequence of steps leading to the same overall reaction, making it possible to calculate enthalpies for reactions that cannot be measured directly. Electron configuration describes the distribution of electrons in atomic orbitals according to the Aufbau principle, Pauli exclusion principle, and Hund's rule. Periodic trends including atomic radius, ionization energy, and electronegativity arise systematically from electron configuration and nuclear charge, enabling chemists to predict and rationalize chemical behavior across the periodic table.
History
The history behind the Electrolysis Calculator traces back through the following developments. Chemistry's roots lie in alchemy, the medieval practice combining proto-scientific experimentation with mystical aims. Alchemists developed practical techniques including distillation, calcination, and the preparation of acids, building a body of empirical knowledge despite their theoretical misunderstandings. Modern chemistry is conventionally dated to Antoine Lavoisier (1743โ1794), often called the father of modern chemistry. Lavoisier demonstrated the law of conservation of mass in 1789, showing that matter is neither created nor destroyed in chemical reactions. He identified oxygen's role in combustion, dismantling the phlogiston theory, and co-authored the first systematic chemical nomenclature, establishing the language still used today. John Dalton proposed the first modern atomic theory in 1803, asserting that all matter is composed of indivisible atoms, that atoms of the same element are identical in mass, and that compounds form from fixed ratios of different atoms. This provided a physical basis for Lavoisier's conservation law and Proust's law of definite proportions. Dmitri Mendeleev published his periodic table in 1869, arranging the 63 known elements by atomic mass and revealing repeating patterns of chemical behavior. He boldly left gaps for undiscovered elements and predicted their properties with remarkable accuracy, predictions confirmed by the subsequent discovery of gallium, scandium, and germanium. Ernest Rutherford's gold foil experiment in 1911 revealed the nuclear model of the atom: a tiny, dense, positively charged nucleus surrounded by electrons. Niels Bohr refined this in 1913 with a quantized model of electron orbits that explained the hydrogen emission spectrum. Quantum chemistry and molecular orbital theory, developed through the 1920s and 1930s, provided the full quantum mechanical description of chemical bonding. The latter 20th century saw the rise of computational chemistry, enabling molecular simulation at unprecedented scale. The green chemistry movement, articulated in the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry in 1998, reoriented the field toward sustainability, waste reduction, and benign chemical design, reflecting chemistry's growing awareness of its environmental responsibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Formula
m = (I * t * M) / (n * F)
The mass deposited (m) equals current (I) times time (t) times molar mass (M), divided by the number of electrons per ion (n) times Faraday's constant (F = 96,485 C/mol). This is the quantitative form of Faraday's first law of electrolysis.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Copper Electroplating
Problem: How much copper is deposited by passing 3 amperes for 2 hours through CuSO4 solution? Cu2+ requires 2 electrons, M = 63.55 g/mol.
Solution: Q = I * t = 3 * 7200 = 21,600 C\nMoles of electrons = 21600 / 96485 = 0.2239 mol\nMoles of Cu = 0.2239 / 2 = 0.1119 mol\nMass = 0.1119 * 63.55 = 7.114 g
Result: Mass deposited = 7.114 g of copper
Example 2: Aluminum Production
Problem: Calculate the mass of aluminum produced by 100 A for 24 hours. Al3+ requires 3 electrons, M = 26.98 g/mol.
Solution: Q = 100 * 86400 = 8,640,000 C\nMoles of electrons = 8640000 / 96485 = 89.55 mol\nMoles of Al = 89.55 / 3 = 29.85 mol\nMass = 29.85 * 26.98 = 805.5 g
Result: Mass produced = 805.5 g (0.806 kg) of aluminum
Frequently Asked Questions
What is electrolysis?
Electrolysis is a chemical process that uses electrical energy to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction. It involves passing a direct current through an electrolyte (a solution or molten compound containing ions) using two electrodes. At the cathode (negative electrode), cations gain electrons (reduction), and at the anode (positive electrode), anions lose electrons (oxidation). Common applications include electroplating metals, refining copper, producing aluminum from bauxite, generating hydrogen and oxygen from water, and manufacturing chemicals like chlorine and sodium hydroxide. The process is governed by Faraday's laws of electrolysis.
What are Faraday's laws of electrolysis?
Faraday's first law states that the mass of substance deposited or dissolved at an electrode is directly proportional to the total electric charge passed through the electrolyte. Mathematically, m = (Q * M) / (n * F), where m is mass, Q is charge (current times time), M is molar mass, n is the number of electrons transferred per ion, and F is Faraday's constant (96,485 C/mol). Faraday's second law states that when the same quantity of charge passes through different electrolytes, the masses of substances deposited are proportional to their equivalent weights (molar mass divided by the charge number). These laws are fundamental to quantitative electrochemistry.
What factors affect electrolysis efficiency?
Several factors influence electrolysis efficiency. Current efficiency refers to the fraction of total charge that produces the desired product; side reactions like hydrogen evolution or oxygen evolution can reduce this below 100 percent. Overpotential is the extra voltage needed beyond the thermodynamic minimum to drive the reaction at a practical rate, and it varies with electrode material, surface area, and current density. Temperature affects both ion mobility and reaction kinetics, with higher temperatures generally improving efficiency. Electrode material and geometry influence the overpotential and current distribution. Solution concentration and agitation ensure adequate ion supply to the electrodes and prevent concentration polarization.
How do I get the most accurate result?
Enter values as precisely as possible using the correct units for each field. Check that you have selected the right unit (e.g. kilograms vs pounds, meters vs feet) before calculating. Rounding inputs early can reduce output precision.
Can I use the results for professional or academic purposes?
You may use the results for reference and educational purposes. For professional reports, academic papers, or critical decisions, we recommend verifying outputs against peer-reviewed sources or consulting a qualified expert in the relevant field.
How accurate are the results from Electrolysis Calculator?
All calculations use established mathematical formulas and are performed with high-precision arithmetic. Results are accurate to the precision shown. For critical decisions in finance, medicine, or engineering, always verify results with a qualified professional.
References
Reviewed by Manoj Kumar, Mathematics Educator ยท Editorial policy