Na metal cannot be produced by electrolysis of aqueous solution of NaCI because:
Correct answer: D. Reduction of H2O is preferred to Na+
- A. Na reacts with water
- B. Na+ is more stable than Na atom
- C. Na+ reacts with Cl- ion in the solution
- D. Reduction of H2O is preferred to Na+
Explanation
During the electrolysis of an aqueous solution of NaCl, water is more easily reduced than Na+ ions, leading to the production of hydrogen gas and hydroxide ions at the cathode. This is because the reduction potential of water is higher than that of Na+ ions, making it energetically more favorable. Consequently, sodium metal is not deposited. The other options are incorrect because they either misrepresent the chemistry involved or describe processes that do not occur under these conditions.
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Electrochemistry describes electron transfer through oxidation and reduction, identifies oxidizing and reducing agents, and applies oxidation numbers to balance redox equations. It also covers electrode potential and the standard hydrogen electrode, which provides the reference for comparing the reduction tendencies of other electrodes.
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