Question

Electrolysis of molten NaCl releases ________ at cathode and _______ at anode respectively.

• A. hydrogen, chlorine
  
• B. sodium, hydrogen
  
• C. chlorine, sodium
  
• D. sodium, chlorine
  

Answer 1

The correct option is D sodium, chlorine


The cathode and anode reactions during the electrolysis of molten NaCl are shown below.
Anode reaction:
$2C{l}^{-}\left(aq\right)\to 2C{l}_2\left(g\right)+2e^{-}$

Chloride ions are attracted towards the positive electrode during the electrolysis of molten NaCl.
So, chlorine gas is liberated at the anode during the electrolysis of molten NaCl.

Cathode reaction:
$2N{a}^{+}\left(aq\right)+2e^{-}\to Na\left(s\right)$
Sodium ions are attracted to the negative electrode; hence it gets deposited at the cathode.