wiz-icon
MyQuestionIcon
MyQuestionIcon
1
You visited us 1 times! Enjoying our articles? Unlock Full Access!
Question

With platinum electrodes hydrogen is liberated at the _______ and oxygen at the _________ during the electrolysis of acidified water.


A

Cathode

No worries! We‘ve got your back. Try BYJU‘S free classes today!
B

Anode

No worries! We‘ve got your back. Try BYJU‘S free classes today!
Open in App
Solution

Anode reaction

  • The OH-and SO4-2 both migrate to the anode. and OH- being lower in the electrochemical series is discharged preferentially. it loses one electron to the anode and becomes neutralOH.

OH--e-OH

  • The combination of OH forms water with the liberation of oxygen which is given off at the anode.

4OH2H2O+O2

  • Product at the anode: 1 volume of oxygen gas is evolved.

Cathode Reaction

  • Hydrogen ions, H+ being the only positively charged ions, migrate to the cathode. since the cathode is a reservoir of electrons, H+gains an electron and becomes a neutral hydrogen atom

2H++2e-2H

  • Hydrogen atoms combine to form a molecule and this comes out as a hydrogen gas

H+HH2

  • Since SO4-2 ions migrate to the anode, and H+ions have been discharged, the concentration of the sulphuric acid will decrease.
  • Product at the cathode: 2 volumes of hydrogen gas

Conclusion: With platinum electrodes, hydrogen is liberated at the cathode and oxygen at the anode during the electrolysis of acidified water.


flag
Suggest Corrections
thumbs-up
0
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
similar_icon
Related Videos
thumbnail
lock
Degree of dissociation_Tackle
CHEMISTRY
Watch in App
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
CrossIcon