Question

"To carry out the electrolysis of water, sulfuric acid is added to water". Is this statement true or false?

• A. True
• B. False

Answer 1

The correct option is A True

Ionic theory and Electrolysis

• In solutions, electrolytes are present in the form of ions and permits the flow of current through them.
• The movement of ions is responsible for the flow of current.
• The process of decomposing ionic compounds into their constituent components by passing an electric current through them in their aqueous or molten form is known as electrolysis.

Electrolysis of water

• Pure water is not an electrolyte, thus it will not conduct electricity. In order to make it an electrolyte, a small amount of dilute sulfuric acid $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)$ is added.
• The addition of sulfuric acid initiates the ionization of water.
• The dissociation reactions taking place in acidified water are depicted below.

$$\begin{gathered} {\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\rightleftharpoons 2{\mathrm{H}}^{+}+{{\mathrm{SO}}_4}^{2-} \\ {\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\rightleftharpoons {\mathrm{H}}^{+}+{\mathrm{OH}}^{-} \end{gathered}$$

Hence, the statement: "To carry out the electrolysis of water, sulfuric acid is added to water" is true.