Explain the process of electrolysis of sodium chloride.
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Answer:
Electrolysis of Sodium Chloride. This shows the electrolysis of pure sodium chloride. You get different products if the sodium chloride is dissolved in water. Sodium chloride must be heated until it is molten before it will conduct electricity. Electrolysis separates the molten ionic compound into its elements. The reactions at each electrode are called half equations. The half equations are written so that the same number of electrons occur in each equation. 2Na+ + 2e- --> 2Na (sodium metal at the (-)cathode). 2Cl- - 2e- --> Cl2 (chlorine gas at the (+)anode). Sodium ions gain electrons (reduction) to form sodium atoms. Chloride ions lose electrons (oxidation) to form chlorine atoms. The chlorine atoms combine to form molecules of chlorine gas. The overall reaction is 2Na+Cl-(l) --> 2Na(s) + Cl2(g)"