Question

write briefly about the three methods of electrolysis of sodium chloride​

Answer 1

Electrolysis of sodium chloride solution with inert electrodes can be done in several different ways, producing different sets of products.

   * Solid sodium chloride melts at just over 800oC, and electrolysis of molten sodium chloride yields sodium metal at the cathode and chlorine gas at the anode.

   * Concentrated aqueous sodium chloride solution with a mercury cathode produces a solution of sodium metal in mercury ("sodium amalgam") and chlorine at the anode.

   * Dilute aqueous sodium chloride solution produces hydrogen at the cathode and oxygen at the anode.

   * Concentrated aqueous sodium chloride solution produces hydrogen at the cathode and chlorine at the anode.

   * Aqueous solutions of intermediate concentrations may produce both chlorine and oxygen at the anode.