Question

What do you think will happen to the water molecules when water boils and ellectricty is passed through water during electrolysis?

Answer 1

When electric current is passed through water, it decomposes water $\sf{H_2O)}$ into oxygen $\sf{(O_2)}$ and Hydrogen gas $\sf{(H_2)}$.

The following reaction will takes place-

$\sf{2H_2O\:\xrightarrow{\text{electricity}}\:2H_2\:+\:O_2}$

Electrolysis of water is a decomposition reaction. In which a single reactant break down into two or more products. Such type of reaction is known as Decomposition reaction.

Decomposition reaction is of three types.

1. Thermal decomposition reaction
2. Photo decomposition reaction
3. Electric decomposition reaction

Electrolysis is a process in which electrical current flows in a liquid which causes chemical changes.

In electrolysis of water; oxygen gas is liberated at cathode (negatively charged) and hydrogen gas is liberated at anode (positively charged).

[ Reaction is shown above. ]

In this 2 moles of water decomposes into 2 moles of hydrogen gas and 1 mole of oxygen gas.

Ratio of moles of Hydrogen to Oxygen is 2 : 1 and ratio of moles of Oxygen to Hydrogen is 1 : 2.