Question

What will happen if ${\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4$ is not added to water during Electrolysis?

Answer 1

Electrolysis:

• Electrolysis is defined as a process of decomposing ionic compounds into their elements by passing a direct electric current through the compound in its molten or aqueous form.
• Pure water is a poor conductor of electricity as it does not have a sufficient amount of ions present in it.
• And when there is a lack of ions i.e., charge carriers are not present, hence conduction is then hindered.
• Hence, during the electrolysis of water, ${\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4$(Sulfuric acid) is added to increase the number of ions.
• ${\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4$ dissociated into ions${\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\rightleftharpoons 2{\mathrm{H}}^{+}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{SO}}_4^{2-}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)$.
• Now if we don't add acid to water, the process will becomes slow.