Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
MYP 5
Chemistry
A. Electrolysis of acidified water (dilute sulphuric acid)
(a) The negative cathode electrode reaction for the electrolysis of water
The hydrogen ions (H+) are attracted to the negative cathode and are
discharged as hydrogen gas.
All three equations amount to the same overall change i.e. the formation of
hydrogen gas molecules and the electrolysis of many salts (of reactive
metals) or acid solutions produce hydrogen at the negative cathode
electrode. All acids give hydrogen at the cathode.
(b) The positive anode electrode reaction for the electrolysis of water
The negative sulphate ions (SO42-) or the traces of hydroxide ions (OH)
are attracted to the positive electrode. But the sulfate ion is too stable and
nothing happens. Instead either hydroxide ions or water molecules are
discharged and oxidised to form oxygen.
Overall equation for the electrolysis of water: 2H2O(l) ==> 2H2(g) + O2(g)
Overall equation for the electrolysis of water: 2H2O(l) ==> 2H2(g) + O2(g)
B.The electrolysis will only take place when electricity is passed
through the sodium chloride solution.
The hydrogen ions are reduced by electron (e) gain to form hydrogen
molecules at the negative electrode which attracts positive ions.
other equations
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.
or
(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