Question

write word equations for the following reactions. when electricity is passed through sodium chloride,sodium and choride are produce.

Answer 1

You get different products

if the sodium chloride is dissolved in water.

Sodium chloride must be heated until it is molten

before it will conduct electricity. Electrolysis

separates the molten ionic compound into its elements

2Na+ + 2e- arrow 2Na (sodium metal at the (-)cathode).

2Cl- - 2e- arrow Cl2 (chlorine gas at the (+)anode).

Sodium ions gain electrons (reduction) to form sodium atoms.

Chloride ions lose electrons (oxidation) to form chlorine atoms.

The chlorine atoms combine to form molecules of chlorine gas.

The overall reaction is

2Na+Cl-(l) arrow 2Na(s) + Cl2(g)