Electrolysis involves using electricity to break down electrolytes to form elements. The products of electrolysis can be predicted for a given electrolyte.
Water is a poor conductor of electricity, but it does contain some hydrogen ions, H+, and hydroxide ions, OH-. These ions are formed when a small proportion of water molecules naturally dissociate. If water is acidified with a little dilute sulfuric acid:
The overall balanced equation for the process is:
2H2O(l) → 2H2(g) + O2(g)
The volume of hydrogen given off is twice the volume of oxygen given off.
An electrolyte formed by dissolving an ionic compound contains:
The ions compete at each electrode to gain or lose electrons.
Whether hydrogen or a metal is produced at the cathode depends on the position of the metal in the metal reactivity series:
Predict the product formed at the negative electrode during the electrolysis of sodium chloride solution.
Hydrogen will be produced because sodium is more reactive than hydrogen.
Predict the product formed at the negative electrode during the electrolysis of copper chloride solution.
Copper will be produced because copper is less reactive than hydrogen.
Oxygen is produced (from hydroxide ions), unless halide ions (chloride, bromide or iodide ions) are present. In that case, the negatively charged halide ions lose electrons and form the corresponding halogen (chlorine, bromine or iodine).
The table summarises the product formed at the anode during the electrolysis of different electrolytes in solution.
Negative ion | Element given off at anode |
---|---|
Chloride, Cl- | Chlorine, Cl2 |
Bromide, Br- | Bromine, Br2 |
Iodide, I- | Iodine, I2 |
Sulfate, SO42- | Oxygen, O2 |
Nitrate, NO3- | Oxygen, O2 |
Predict the product formed at the positive electrode during the electrolysis of concentrated sodium sulfate solution.
Oxygen will be produced.