Question detail

What products are formed at the electrodes during the electrolysis of an aqueous sodium chloride solution?

Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.

At a glance

Question

Type

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Style

Topic

Electrolysis

Question

What products are formed at the electrodes during the electrolysis of an aqueous sodium chloride solution?

Answer

During the electrolysis of an aqueous sodium chloride solution, chlorine gas is produced at the anode and hydrogen gas is produced at the cathode.

Explanation

This question tests the understanding of the products formed during the electrolysis of an aqueous solution, specifically sodium chloride. It assesses the student's ability to recall the expected outcomes based on the presence of ions in the solution.

Common mistake

Misunderstanding Electrolysis Products

Students often predict that the metal will always be produced at the cathode during electrolysis of aqueous solutions, regardless of the metal's reactivity compared to hydrogen.

Students should remember that if the metal is more reactive than hydrogen, hydrogen will be produced at the cathode instead. It's important to refer to the reactivity series when making predictions.

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exam Q1: of aqueous solutions. (WS 2.2) | Electrolysis | AQA… | ExamCompanion