What happens when electric current is passed through acidified water? Name the type of reaction involved.

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Solution

When the electric current is passed through acidified water it decomposes to give hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. This reaction can be represented as:

$2 H_{2} O (l) + E l e c t r i c i t y \to 2 H_{2} (g) + O_{2} (g)$

This is a decomposition reaction as water splits up to form two simpler substances namely hydrogen and oxygen.
This decomposition reaction takes place by the action of electricity. Hence it is called electrolysis of water.

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