Question

During the electrolysis of an aqueous solution of NaCl , hydrogen ion is reduced at the cathode and not the sodium ions though both Na+ and H+ ions are present in the solution.

Answer 1

1. H⁺ ions are reduced and not Na⁺ because, H⁺/H₂ reduction potential is higher than Na⁺/Na.

2. The reduction potential is the ability to get reduced.

3. For H it is 0 while for Na it is negative.