Question detail
Explain why hydrogen is produced at the cathode during the electrolysis of an aqueous solution of a metal that is more reactive than hydrogen.
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
Question
Type
exam_style
Style
Topic
Electrolysis
Question
Explain why hydrogen is produced at the cathode during the electrolysis of an aqueous solution of a metal that is more reactive than hydrogen.
Answer
Hydrogen is produced at the cathode because the metal ions are less likely to gain electrons compared to hydrogen ions. Since the metal is more reactive than hydrogen, the discharge of hydrogen ions occurs instead.
Explanation
This question evaluates the student's understanding of the principles of electrolysis and the reactivity series. It requires the student to apply their knowledge to explain the reasoning behind the production of hydrogen at the cathode in specific conditions.
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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