Question

What happens when an aqueous solution of sodium acetate is electrolysed?

Answer 1

Explanation:

Sodium acetate is a strong electrolyte in water. The status of sodium hydroxide as a strong base triumphs; it makes even a weak acid such as acetic acid dissociate essesitally 100% into ions (by stealing the protons). And when something is essentially 100% dissociated into ions, by definition it's a strong electrolyte.

Answer 2

When an aqueous solution of sodium acetate is electrolysed the products formed are carbon dioxide , ethane , hydrogen and sodium hydroxide.

• This reaction is an example of Kolbe's electrolysis.
• The acetate ion migrates towards the anode and gets oxidized forming carbon dioxide and ethane.
• both the sodium ion and proton migrates towards the cathode but proton is reduced to form hydrogen gas as sodium is placed higher than hydrogen in the activity series.