Electrolysis products in gaseous state at cathode and anode are same w...
Electrolysis Products in Gaseous State at Cathode and Anode
Introduction:
Electrolysis is a process that uses an electric current to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction. It involves the decomposition of a compound into its constituent elements using an electrolytic cell. During electrolysis, the compound is dissolved in a solution, and an electric current is passed through it.
Explanation:
When an electric current is passed through an electrolyte, it causes the positive ions (cations) to move towards the cathode (negative electrode) and the negative ions (anions) to move towards the anode (positive electrode). At the electrodes, the ions gain or lose electrons, resulting in the formation of new substances.
Electrolysis of Aqueous Sodium Chloride (NaCl):
- At the cathode:
- When NaCl is electrolyzed, sodium ions (Na+) and hydrogen ions (H+) are present in the solution. However, hydrogen ions (H+) are easier to reduce than sodium ions (Na+). Therefore, hydrogen gas (H2) is produced at the cathode.
- At the anode:
- At the anode, chloride ions (Cl-) and hydroxide ions (OH-) are present in the solution. Chloride ions (Cl-) are easier to oxidize than hydroxide ions (OH-). Therefore, chlorine gas (Cl2) is produced at the anode.
Electrolysis of Aqueous Sodium Nitrate (NaNO3):
- At the cathode:
- When NaNO3 is electrolyzed, sodium ions (Na+) and hydrogen ions (H+) are present in the solution. Similar to the electrolysis of NaCl, hydrogen gas (H2) is produced at the cathode.
- At the anode:
- At the anode, nitrate ions (NO3-) and water molecules (H2O) are present in the solution. Nitrate ions (NO3-) are easier to oxidize than water molecules (H2O). Therefore, oxygen gas (O2) is produced at the anode.
Electrolysis of Aqueous Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH):
- At the cathode:
- When NaOH is electrolyzed, sodium ions (Na+) and hydrogen ions (H+) are present in the solution. Similar to the electrolysis of NaCl and NaNO3, hydrogen gas (H2) is produced at the cathode.
- At the anode:
- At the anode, hydroxide ions (OH-) and water molecules (H2O) are present in the solution. Hydroxide ions (OH-) are easier to oxidize than water molecules (H2O). Therefore, oxygen gas (O2) is produced at the anode.
Electrolysis of Aqueous Sodium Sulfate (Na2SO4):
- At the cathode:
- When Na2SO4 is electrolyzed, sodium ions (Na+) and hydrogen ions (H+) are present in the solution. Similar to the previous cases, hydrogen gas (H2) is produced at the cathode.
- At the anode:
- At the an
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