Question

Explain why electrolysis of an aqueous solution of NaCl gives H2 at cathode and Cl2 at anode.

Given: ENa+/Na = -2.71 V, EH2O/H2 = -0.83 V, ECl2/2Cl- = +1.36 V, E 2H+/½O2/H2O = +1.23 V

Answer 1

h2 is a positively charged gas hence it collects to the negatively charged cathode and similarly cl2 is negatively charged hence it collects around +vely charged anode...opposite charges attract each other