Question

What is the difference in terms of products formed in electrolysis of dilute hydrochloric acid and concentrated hydrochloric acid. Give the half equations?

Answer 1

Answer:

The sulphuric acid does not take part in any reactions, and is only present to ensure that water conducts electricity.

Only the water self-ionises to form hydroxide (OH- and hydrogen (H+) ions, and its concentration decreases as it decomposes to form O2 and H2.

Therefore, the concentration of hydrogen ions from sulphuric acid increases during the electrolysis of dilute sulfuric acid.

Answer 2

Answer:

The electrolysis will only take place when electricity is passed through the dilute hydrochloric acid solution. ... The electrolyte hydrochloric acid, provides a high concentration of hydrogen ions H+ and chloride ions Cl– to carry the current during the electrolysis process.