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MYP 5
Chemistry
A. Electrolysis of acidified water (dilute sulphuric acid)
(a) The negative cathode electrode reaction for the electrolysis of water
The negative cathode electrode reaction is a reduction (electron gain).
The hydrogen ions (H+) are attracted to the negative cathode and are
discharged as hydrogen gas.
The hydrogen ion or water molecules are reduced to hydrogen gas
molecules by electron gain at the negative electrode
2H+(aq) + 2e ==> H2(g) (hydrogen gas, bubbles seen on the negative
electrode)
positive ion reduction by electron gain
Overall equation for the electrolysis of water: 2H2O(l) ==> 2H2(g) + O2(g)
(a) The negative cathode electrode reaction for the electrolysis of brine
(sodium chloride solution)
The negative () cathode attracts the Na+ (from sodium chloride)
and H+ ions (from water). Only the hydrogen ions are discharged at the
cathode. The more reactive a metal, the less readily its ion is reduced on
the electrode surface.
The hydrogen ions are reduced by electron (e) gain to form hydrogen
molecules at the negative electrode which attracts positive ions.
2H+(aq) + 2e ==> H2(g)
positive ion reduction by electron gain
other equations
2H2O(l) + 2e ==> H2(g) + 2OH-(aq)
or 2H3O+(aq) + 2e ==> H2(g) + 2H2O(l)
Nothing happens to the sodium ion, but it is still important (see after the
anode reaction has been described).
Test for the cathode gas - colourless gas gives a squeaky pop with a lit
splint hydrogen
(b) The positive anode electrode reaction for the electrolysis of brine
(sodium chloride solution)
The positive anode attracts the negative hydroxide OH ions (from water)
and chloride Cl ions (from sodium chloride). Only the chloride ion is
discharged in appreciable quantities i.e. it is preferentially oxidised to
chlorine.
The chloride ions are oxidised by electron loss to give chlorine molecules at
the positive electrode which attracts negative ions.
Test for the anode gas - pale green gas turns damp blue litmus red and
then bleaches it white chlorine (test 2 gas 2)
Note that, if most of the chloride ions have been discharged as chlorine
molecules, you can then get some oxygen gas formed at the anode i.e. like
in the electrolysis of water, and chloride ions are being replaced by
hydroxide ions which can be oxidised to oxygen at the anode.
2H2O(l) 4e ==> 4H+(aq) + O2(g)
or
4OH(aq) 4e ==> 2H2O(l) + O2(g) (oxygen gas)
(i) molten sodium formed at the negative cathode electrode which attracts
the positive sodium ions
(ii) chlorine gas formed at the positive anode electrode which attracts the
negative chloride ions
2Cl(l) 2e ==> Cl2(g)
or 2Cl(l) ==> Cl2(g) + 2e an oxidation electrode reaction (electron loss)
negative oxidation by electron loss.
SUMMARY OF PRODUCTS FROM THE ELECTROLYSIS OF SODIUM
CHLORIDE solution or melt
with inert electrodes like carbon (graphite) or platinum
Electrolyte
molten
sodium
chloride
NaCl(l)
aqueous
sodium
chloride
solution
(brine)
NaCl(aq)
negati
ve
catho
de
produ
ct
molte
n
sodiu
m
negative electrode
cathode half-equation
positi
positive electrode
ve
anod
e
anode half-equation
prod
uct
chlor
ine
gas