Question

What gases collect at the different electrodes in the electrolysis of acidulated water?

Answer 1

Electrolysis of water: Reactions in which electricity is used to break down water into hydrogen and oxygen.

Net reaction: $4{\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_{\left(\mathrm{l}\right)}\to 4{{\mathrm{H}}^{+}}_{\left(\mathrm{Aq}\right)}+4{{\mathrm{OH}}^{-}}_{\left(\mathrm{Aq}\right)}$

Cathode: H⁺ ions move towards the cathode (negative electrode) and discharge as hydrogen gas (H₂ )

$4{{\mathrm{H}}^{+}}_{\left(\mathrm{Aq}\right)}+4{\mathrm{e}}^{-}\to 2{\mathrm{H}}_{2_{\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}}$

Anode: OH^- ions move towards the anode (positive electrode) and discharge as oxygen gas(O₂)

$4\mathrm{OH}{{}^{-}}_{\left(\mathrm{Aq}\right)}\to {\mathrm{O}}_{2_{\left(\mathrm{Aq}\right)}}+2{\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_{\left(\mathrm{l}\right)}+4{\mathrm{e}}^{-}$