Question

Name the gas released at the cathode when acidulated water is electrolyzed?

Answer 1

• When acidulated water undergoes electrolysis Hydrogen ions and Hydroxyl ions are produced.

$H_{2}O\leftrightarrow 2H^{+}+O{H}^{-}$

• These further participate in oxidation and reduction reactions by the passage of electricity.
• Hydrogen ions undergo reduction at the cathode electrode to produce Hydrogen gas.
• While the Hydroxyl ions undergo oxidation at the anode to produce oxygen gas.
• The reaction is,

Cathode:$\underset{Hydrogenion}{2H^{+}}+2e^{-}\to \underset{Hydrogengas}{H_2}$

Anode: $\underset{Hydroxylion}{2O{H}^{-}}\to H_{2}O+\underset{Oxygen}{O_2}+2e^{-}$

The gas released at the cathode electrode is Hydrogen gas.