Question

When dilute sodium chloride is electrolyzed using graphite electrodes, the cation which is discharged at the cathode most readily is :

• A. $N{a}^{+}$
• B. $O{H}^{-}$
• C. $H^{+}$
• D. $C{l}^{-}$

Answer 1

The correct option is C $H^{+}$

When dilute sodium chloride is electrolysed,
At cathode:
$2H^{+}+2e^{-}\to H_2$
At anode:
$2H_{2}O\to O_2+4H^{+}+4e^{-}$