Electrolysis of Aqueous Solutions Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

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

Copper (solid) at the cathode and chlorine (gas) at the anode.

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

Hydrogen at the cathode and chlorine at the anode.

What are the products of the electrolysis of sodium sulfate solution using inert electrodes?

Hydrogen at the cathode and oxygen at the anode.

In the electrolysis of water acidified with sulfuric acid, how do the volumes of the two gases compare?

The volume of hydrogen (at the cathode) is twice the volume of oxygen (at the anode), a 2 : 1 ratio.

In the electrolysis of an aqueous solution, which product forms at the cathode?

Hydrogen, unless the metal is less reactive than hydrogen (e.g. copper), when the metal is formed instead.

In the electrolysis of an aqueous solution, which product forms at the anode?

Oxygen, unless a halide ion is present (e.g. chloride), when the halogen is formed instead.