Explain laws of electrolysis, Chemistry

Assignment Help:

Q. Explain laws of Electrolysis?

Ans. A spontaneous reaction takes place by itself. Some redox reactions are not spontaneous.

In a non-spontaneous redox reaction, oxidation (at the anode) and reduction (at the cathode) are forced to occur with the addition of electrical energy.

Electrolysis means decomposition by electricity. Electrolysis is a chemical process in which a redox reaction is forced to take place by passing a direct electric current through an electrolyte.

In the electrolytic cell where the electrolysis reaction occurs, the anode is the positive electrode, and the cathode is the negative electrode. (This is the exact opposite of a voltaic cell where the anode is the negative electrode, and the cathode is the positive electrode.)

During this process of electrolysis, the positive sodium cations are forced to migrate toward the negative electrode (cathode). Likewise, the negative chlorine anions are forced to migrate toward the positive electrode (anode). During this electrolysis process, electrons move from the anode to the cathode through an external wire.

The following half reactions occur in this electrolytic cell:

Oxidation Reaction (at the anode):

2Cl-> Cl2(g) + 2e-

Reduction Reaction (at the cathode):

2Na+ + 2e- -> 2Na(l)

Notice that the number of electrons that are produced during the oxidation reaction is the same as the number of electrons that is used during the reduction reaction.

In the electrolysis of water, the half-reactions are:

Reduction Reaction (at the cathode):
4H2O + 4e-
-> 2H2(g) + 4OH-

Oxidation Reaction (at the anode):
2H2O
-> O2(g) + 4H++ 4e-

And the net reaction for the electrolysis of water is:

6H2O -> 2H2(g) + O2(g) + 4H+ 4OH


Related Discussions:- Explain laws of electrolysis

Merits of atomic fluorescence spectrometry, Merits of Atomic fluorescence s...

Merits of Atomic fluorescence spectrometry: Merits of the technique involve extremely low detection limits for favourable elements and the possibility of handling solid, liqui

What are the ligands, Q. What are the Ligands? Ligands: The ions and/...

Q. What are the Ligands? Ligands: The ions and/or molecules which are directly attached to the central atom/ion are called ligands. A ligand could be an iron, an atom or a ne

What is the structure of a dna molecule, What is the structure of a DNA mol...

What is the structure of a DNA molecule? Ans) The DNA molecule having of two complementary strands oriented in an anti-parallel fashion. Every strand is composed of nucleotides.

Pyroligneous acid - aldehydes and ketones, Pyroligneous acid  - Aldehydes ...

Pyroligneous acid  - Aldehydes and Ketones Pyroligneous acid consisting of acetic acid, acetone and methyl alcohol that is distilled in copper vessel and the vapours are passed

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd