What is the product of the electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride (NaCl) using inert electrodes?
Hydrogen gas at the cathode and chlorine gas at the anode
Hydrogen gas at the cathode and oxygen gas at the anode
Sodium metal at the cathode and chlorine gas at the anode
Sodium metal at the cathode and oxygen gas at the anode
Explanation
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Discussions (22)
This is not a very good question, because it lacks information. If you pick option A or B, you're not wrong for doing so. Both options can be "right" in their own sense, but with lack of information, the question is bound to make people argue over which answer is right.
Electrolysis of sodium chloride is easier in aqueous solution. But the water itself can undergo reduction and oxidation reactions at different potentials. So, the substance that is oxidised or reduced is not sodium and chloride ions alone, but it may involve the water molecule also.
The product of electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride can be anything between,
i) Sodium metal or hydrogen gas at the cathode
ii) Chlorine or oxygen gas at the anode
For option A to be right, this needs to be true: High Concentration of Sodium Chloride.
We already know Hydrogen regardless is going to be liberated at the cathode, but it's the anode we are talking about.
At anode: oxidation reaction: at pH =7
2H2O → O2(g) + 4H+ + 4e– E° =-1.4 V
2Cl– → Cl2 + 2e– E =- 1.36V
The thermo-dynamical reduction potential of water and chloride is +0.82 V and 0.1.36 V, respectively. Oxidation of water being more positive is more feasible, so the evolution of oxygen gas should happen at the anode. But, the evolution of oxygen from water has an overvoltage of -0.6V, making the voltage for the oxidation of water as -1.4V. Chloride oxidation is more positive than the net voltage of water oxidation. So, chloride is, oxidised to chlorine at the anode.
TL;DR Chlorine wins and gets produced at the anode.
On the other hand, option be can be right, but this needs to be true: Very Dilute Aqueous Sodium Chloride Solution.
Water has very low conductivity, and the small amount of ionic sodium chloride helps the ionic conductivity of the solution. In small concentrations, the electrolysis of water becomes more predominant yielding hydrogen at the cathode and oxygen at the anode.
So the real problem is the question itself, so don't complain about anbody's intelligence. It wasn't worded correctly and you can't blame either party.
its wrong is meant to be oxygen at anode and hydrogen at cathode using platinum electrode plz my school take responsibility for the wrong answer..
No I disagree with the answer, aqueous Nacl is tantamount to dilute Nacl
In the electrolysis of conc. Back
Hydrogen is liberated at the cathode and chlorine gas at the anode while in the electrolysis of dilute Nacl, hydrogen is liberated at the cathode and oxygen at the anode. So I think the correct answer should be B
the answer is A ooo
AI Overview
The electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride (NaCl) using inert electrodes produces chlorine gas (Cl₂) at the anode and hydrogen gas (H₂) at the cathode, along with a basic sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution.
source: Google
A is correct please
Effect changes ASAP
The product of Electrolysis of aqueous NaCl yield H2 at the Cathode and Cl2 at the anode 👇👇👇
At the Cathode:both Na and H2 are present,but H2 being lowered than Na in Electrochromical series is preferentially discharged thus H2 is discharged at the Cathode
At the anode:both OH- and Cl- are present
But since the two ion are closer to each other in Electrochromical series Cl- is discharged at the anode being lower than OH- in Elecrochemical series although OH- is slightly above it
This is effect of Concentration Of Ion in Electrolysis
When two competitve ion are closer to each other in Electrolysis the one Lower will be discharged while the one above goes into the solution this is known as effect of Concentration of ion as in the case of OH- and Cl- the two ion are very close to each other in Elecrochemical series but since chlorine is lower it's preferentially discharged
Thus the product of Electrolysis of aqueous NaCl yield H2 at the Cathode and Cl2 at the anode,while the solution turns alkaline because OH- from the anode combine with Na from yhe cathode to form an alkaline solution.
Effect changes ASAP dont mislead Aspirants
A✔️✔️✔️
B❌❌❌
For dilute Nacl, oxygen will be deposited at the anode
And for conc Nacl(brine), chlorine will be deposited at the anode
it's the effect of concentration usually in the electrolysis of brine which is aqueous sodium chloride chlorine is produced because of the concentration of sodium chloride instead of oxygen even though oxygen should in normal circumstances be produced but because of their closeness in the series and the concentration chlorine is usually produced
The product of the electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride (NaCl) using inert electrodes is:
A. Hydrogen gas at the cathode and chlorine gas at the anode
Here's why:
At the cathode (negative electrode):
Water is preferentially reduced to hydrogen gas: 2H₂O(l) + 2e⁻ → H₂(g) + 2OH⁻(aq)
At the anode (positive electrode):
Chloride ions are oxidized to chlorine gas: 2Cl⁻(aq) → Cl₂(g) + 2e⁻
Therefore, the overall reaction is:
2NaCl(aq) + 2H₂O(l) → 2NaOH(aq) + H₂(g) + Cl₂(g)
