Question

in electrolysis how can the atoms have positively charged nuclei?
And does the atom has positively charged hydrogen and positively charged oxygen, if that's so then how can oxygen go to the positive terminal and does the process of electrolysis separates the electrons from the atom?

Answer 1

I assume that you're talking about the electrolysis water. Water dissociates into H⁺ ions and OH^– ions;the H⁺ ions are attracted to the negative electrode (the cathode) and are converted (reduced) to ahydrogen atoms (H) (i.e. e- + H⁺ => H). This is a highly unstable configuration, and therefore immediately reacts with another hydrogen atom to produce H₂, molecular hydrogen gas.

At the other electrode (the anode), oxidation occurs. The OH- ions are attracted to the positive electrode where they are oxidized to form oxygen gas (O₂) and hydrogen ions (H⁺). However, if chloride is present, it will oxidize (instead of the OH^– ions) and form chlorine gas, which will then react with the water to form hypochlorous acid.