In the electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride with inert electrodes ...
In the electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride with inert electrodes, the products obtained at anode and cathode respectively are Cl
2 and H
2.
The solution contains four ions Na+, Cl-, H+, OH.
Following reaction takes place:
In the electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride with inert electrodes ...
Electrolysis of Aqueous Sodium Chloride
The electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride involves the decomposition of water and the salt itself. The overall reaction can be written as follows:
2NaCl + 2H2O → 2NaOH + H2 + Cl2
Anode Reaction
At the anode, chloride ions are oxidized. The possible reactions are:
Cl- → Cl + e-
2Cl- → Cl2 + 2e-
The preferred reaction is the second one, which produces chlorine gas. Therefore, the product obtained at the anode is chlorine gas.
Cathode Reaction
At the cathode, water is reduced. The possible reactions are:
2H2O + 2e- → H2 + 2OH-
4H2O + 4e- → 2H2 + 4OH-
The preferred reaction is the first one, which produces hydrogen gas. Therefore, the product obtained at the cathode is hydrogen gas.
However, there is also the possibility of the reduction of sodium ions:
Na+ + e- → Na
This reaction is less likely because sodium is a very reactive metal and would react with water to form sodium hydroxide. Therefore, the product obtained at the cathode is hydrogen gas.
Conclusion
The correct answer is option C, which states that the products obtained at the anode and cathode are chlorine gas and hydrogen gas, respectively.