Question

In the electrolysis of water what would happen if dil ${\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4$is not added to the water?

Answer 1

Electrolysis of water:

1. The electrolysis of water results in the breakdown of water into oxygen and hydrogen gas. An electric current is passed through the solution to achieve this.
2. Electrolysis is represented through a decomposition reaction. This is because an electric current causes water to split into its essential elements, hydrogen, and oxygen
3. Reaction of electrolysis is as follows $\underset{\mathrm{water}}{2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)}\to \underset{\mathrm{oxygen}\mathrm{gas}}{{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Hydrogen}\mathrm{gas}}{2{\mathrm{H}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}$
4. When we try to pass electricity in plain water it does not conduct or pass electricity because pure water is a bad conductor of electricity.
5. When we add a few drops of dilute sulfuric acid pure water becomes capable of conducting electricity and hence electrolysis takes place.

Hence, dilute sulfuric acid is added to increase the conductivity of pure water.