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 CI ion in the solution
- D. Reduction of H2O is preferred to Na+
Explanation
This option is the correct reason why Na metal cannot be produced by electrolysis of an aqueous solution of NaCl. When an aqueous solution is electrolyzed, water (H2O) is readily reduced at the cathode instead of Na+ ions. The reduction of water produces hydrogen gas (H2) and hydroxide ions (OH-). Due to the high reactivity of sodium, it is challenging to reduce Na+ ions to form sodium metal in the presence of water, which is more easily reducible.
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