Electrolysis of Aqueous Solutions Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

What is the rule for the product at the cathode when an aqueous solution is electrolysed with inert electrodes?

Hydrogen is produced, unless the metal is less reactive than hydrogen, in which case the metal is produced.

e.g. copper from copper chloride solution.

What is the rule for the product at the anode when an aqueous solution is electrolysed with inert electrodes?

The halogen is produced if a halide ion is present; otherwise oxygen is produced (from hydroxide ions).

What are the products of the electrolysis of sodium chloride solution with inert electrodes?

Hydrogen at the cathode and chlorine at the anode.

What are the products of the electrolysis of copper chloride solution with inert electrodes?

Copper at the cathode and chlorine at the anode.

What are the products of the electrolysis of water acidified with sulfuric acid, and in what volume ratio?

Hydrogen at the cathode and oxygen at the anode, in a volume ratio of 2 hydrogen : 1 oxygen.

True or false? Electrolysis of sodium sulfate solution produces sodium at the cathode.

False. Hydrogen is produced, because sodium is more reactive than hydrogen.