Question

On electrolysis of brine solution, the products formed are

• A. sodium and chlorine
• B. hydrogen, chlorine and oxygen
• C. hydrogen, chlorine and sodium hydroxide
• D. sodium hydroxide, chlorine and oxygen

Answer 1

The correct option is C

hydrogen, chlorine and sodium hydroxide

The explanation for the correct option (C):

• Electrolysis is the process where chemical energy can be converted to electrical energy via the use of an electrical current on an electrolytic solution.
• Brine solution is Sodium chloride ($\mathrm{NaCl}$) dissolved in aqueous media.
• When electricity is passed through a concentrated solution of $\mathrm{NaCl}$, which is called Brine, it decomposes and results in the formation of Sodium Hydroxide ($\mathrm{NaOH}$), Chlorine gas (${\mathrm{Cl}}_2$), and Hydrogen gas (${\mathrm{H}}_2$).
• $2\mathrm{NaCl}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\to 2\mathrm{NaOH}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{Cl}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)$
• During electrolysis, at the anode (positive electrode), Chlorine gas (${\mathrm{Cl}}_2$) will be discharged and at the cathode (negative electrode), Hydrogen gas (${\mathrm{H}}_2$) will be discharged. Sodium hydroxide ($\mathrm{NaOH}$) solution is formed near the cathode.
• All the products of electrolysis of Sodium chloride solution, Hydrogen, Chlorine, and Sodium hydroxide were collected and stored separately.

Final Answer: Hence, option (C) is correct. On electrolysis of brine solution, the products formed are Hydrogen, Chlorine, and Sodium hydroxide.