Question

When current is passed through molten sodium chloride:

• A. sodium is deposited at the positive electrode and chlorine gas is formed at the negative electrode
• B. sodium is evaporated and chloride ions are formed at the negative electrode.
• C. sodium and chlorine both deposits at the positive electrode .
• D. sodium is deposited at the negative electrode and the chlorine gas is formed at the positive electrode

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

sodium is deposited at the negative electrode and the chlorine gas is formed at the positive electrode

When current is passed through molten $NaCl$ the following reactions take place:

Anode:

${Cl}^{-}\to \frac{1}{2}{Cl}_2+e^{-}$

Cathode:

${Na}^{+}+e^{-}\to Na$

Thus sodium is deposited at negative electrode (carhode) by undergoing reduction and chlorine is deposited to positive electrode (anode) by undergoing oxidation.