Question

A compound x is used for drinking has ph=7.it's acidified solution undergoes decomposition in the presence of electricity to produce gases y and z. the volume of y is double than z. y is highly combustible whereas z is supported of combustion. identify x y and z.write the chemical reactions involved

Answer 1

The substance X is water (chemical formula H2O). Water is a neutral substance whose pH is 7. When electricity is passed through water containing a few drops of sulphuric acid, it decomposes to give its constituent elementsas products i.e. hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2). Following is the chemical equation for electrolysis of water

 

here hydrogen and oxygen are obtained in the ratio of 2 : 1. While hydrogen is a combustible gas, oxygen is a supporter of combustion. Thus, 

X is water (H2O)

Y is hydrohen (H2)

Z is oxygen (O2)