The product produced at the cathode when aqueous sodium chloride is electrolyzed:
Correct answer: A. H2
- A. H2
- B. Cl2
- C. O2
- D. Na
Explanation
In the electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride (NaCl), water molecules are reduced at the cathode rather than sodium ions because water has a higher reduction potential. This leads to the formation of hydrogen gas (H2) according to the reaction:2H2O + 2e- → H2 + 2OH-At the anode, chlorine gas (Cl2) is released due to the oxidation of chloride ions. Oxygen (O2) is not produced at the cathode, and sodium metal (Na) is not formed in aqueous solutions because water is reduced instead.
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