Question

Dilute sulphuric acid was taken in an electrolytic cell and electric current pass through it what Happens..?

Answer 1

Answer:

Hope it helps you..............

Answer 2

Answer:

At cathode:   2H⁺(aq)  +   2e⁻  $\longrightarrow$  H₂(g)

At anode:    4OH⁻(aq)    $\longrightarrow$   2HO₂(l)  +  O₂(g)  +  4e⁻

Explanation:

• Dilute sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) dissociates to form protons H⁺ and sulphate ions (SO₄²⁻).

       H₂SO₄(aq)    $\longrightarrow$    2H⁺(aq)  +  SO₄²⁻ (aq)

• By autoionization of water, it  liberated  protons and hydroxide ions.

       H₂O(l)   $\longrightarrow$   H⁺(aq)  +  OH⁻(aq)

        Thus, the ions present in  dilute sulphuric acid are solution   sulphate ions, protons and hydroxide ions.

• We know that cathode is a negative electrode. It attracts positively charged protons. At cathode, protons get discharged on cathode to form hydrogen gas.

       2H⁺(aq)  +   2e⁻  $\longrightarrow$  H₂(g)

• Anode is a positively charged electrode. It attracts towards itself hydroxide ions and sulphate ions. When hydroxide ions are discharged on anode, oxygen gas is liberated at anode.

       4OH⁻(aq)    $\longrightarrow$   2HO₂(l)  +  O₂(g)  +  4e⁻

• However, if sulphate ions get discharged at anode and sulphur dioxide gas is liberated.

         SO₄²⁻(aq) +  4H⁺(aq)   $\longrightarrow$    2H₂O(l) + SO₂(g)  +  4e⁻

• Since the value of the electrode potential for the discharge of sulphate ions is more than that of hydroxide ions. The hydroxide ions will get discharged at anode preferentially and oxygen gas will be produced.