Question

In the electrolysis of water,

a) Name the gas collected at anode and cathode

b) Why is the volume of gas collected at one electrode double than the other?

c) What would happen if dilute H2SO4 is not added to water?

Answer 1

1)oxygen and hydrogen are the two gases.

2)Nearly 8% and 3% of volume of gases.



3) reaction will not take place successfully

Answer 2

a)IN the electrolysis of acidified water

gas collected at anode=oxygen

OH+OH---->H₂0+O

O+O--->O₂

gas collected at cathode=hydrogen

H⁺+e⁻--->H

H+H--->H₂

Since sulphate ions migrate to the anode,hydrogen ions get discharged and concentration of sulphuric acid decreases

dil sulphuric acid is preferred because it is non volatile while dilute hydrochloric acid or dilute nitric acid is volatie