Question detail
In the electrolysis of molten lead bromide, what are the products formed at the anode and cathode? Write the half equations for each reaction.
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At a glance
Question
Type
exam_style
Style
Topic
Electrolysis
Question
In the electrolysis of molten lead bromide, what are the products formed at the anode and cathode? Write the half equations for each reaction.
Answer
At the cathode, lead ions (Pb²⁺) gain electrons to form lead (Pb). The half equation is: Pb²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Pb. At the anode, bromide ions (Br⁻) lose electrons to form bromine (Br₂). The half equation is: 2Br⁻ → Br₂ + 2e⁻.
Explanation
This question assesses the ability to apply knowledge of electrolysis to specific reactions, including writing half equations, which is a higher-order skill in understanding electrochemical processes.
Common mistake
Misinterpreting Half Equations
Students often confuse the products formed at the electrodes by misinterpreting half equations, leading to incorrect identification of the products.
To fix this, students should practice interpreting half equations by carefully analyzing the ions involved and their charges to accurately determine the products formed at the electrodes.
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