Question

Write the equations of electrolysis of H2SO4 in acidic solution. (reduction equation, oxidation equation, and overall equation.

Answer 1

In a dilute solution of sulfuric acid, there are the following species present: H2O, H+, OH−, HSO4−, SO42−. Of course, the water molecules are present in the highest concentration, much higher than the other species, since it is a dilute solution. For simplicity, we would also represent the proton and hydroxide ion as unsolvated. However, do take note that they are in fact heavily solvated in aqueous solution.

In some textbooks, it may be said that for the electrolysis of dilute H2SO4, the oxidation half-equation is written as 2H++2e−⟶H2 and the reduction half-equation is written as 4OH−⟶2H2O+O2+4e−. However, the concentrations of these ions in solution are rather small compared to the concentration of the water molecule in solution. Albeit these reactions may be taking place, they should not be the main reactions and are unlikely to be representative of what is actually happening in solution.

In fact, since water molecules are the dominant species in solution, it is more likely that they undergo the redox reactions. The following half-equations represent the reactions happening in the solution more accurately:

Reduction: 2H2O+2e−⟶H2+2OH−

Oxidation: 2H2O⟶4H++O2+4e−

Since water molecules are being used up in the electrolysis process, the concentration of the remaining ions increase as the solution is electrolysed. Thus, the concentration of the sulfuric acid solution should increase.

Please mark as Brainliest Answer!!!