Chapter 8: Problem 27
Predict the products of electrolysis in each of the following: (i) An aqueous solution of \(\mathrm{AgNO}_{3}\) with silver electrodes (ii) An aqueous solution \(\mathrm{AgNO}_{3}\) with platinum electrodes (iii) A dilute solution of \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}\) with platinum electrodes (iv) An aqueous solution of \(\mathrm{CuCl}_{2}\) with platinum electrodes.
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Analyze electrolysis with silver electrodes in AgNO₃ solution
Examine electrolysis with platinum electrodes in AgNO₃ solution
Predict electrolysis products for dilute Hâ‚‚SOâ‚„ with platinum electrodes
Determine electrolysis products for CuClâ‚‚ with platinum electrodes
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Silver Electrodes
- Anode Reaction: At the anode, silver from the electrode oxidizes, losing electrons to form silver ions in the solution. The reaction can be represented as \( \mathrm{Ag(s) \rightarrow Ag^+(aq) + e^-} \). This means the silver metal is transitioning into solution.
- Cathode Reaction: Simultaneously, at the cathode, silver ions in the solution gain electrons and reduce to form solid silver. The reaction is \( \mathrm{Ag^+(aq) + e^- \rightarrow Ag(s)} \). Here, ions in the solution become solid and coat the cathode.
Platinum Electrodes
- Inert Nature: Platinum does not oxidize or reduce itself during electrolysis. This property means it does not interfere with the reactions of the ions in the solution, allowing for a clear study of the electrolytes involved.
- Electrolysis in AgNO₃ Solution: For an aqueous solution of \( \mathrm{AgNO}_{3} \), platinum serves as an efficient platform where \( \mathrm{Ag^+} \) ions reduce at the cathode to form solid silver, while at the anode, water oxidizes to produce oxygen gas, thanks to its non-reactive nature.
Electrolysis of Aqueous Solutions
- Cathode and Anode Reactions: During electrolysis, cations (positive ions) are attracted to the cathode (negative electrode), where they gain electrons in a reduction reaction. Conversely, anions (negative ions) migrate to the anode (positive electrode), where they lose electrons in an oxidation reaction.
- Example with \( \mathrm{H_2SO_4} \): For a dilute \( \mathrm{H_2SO_4} \) solution with platinum electrodes, the reactions involve the formation of hydrogen gas at the cathode as \( \mathrm{H^+(aq) + e^- \rightarrow H_2(g)} \) and oxygen gas at the anode as \( \mathrm{2H_2O(l) \rightarrow O_2(g) + 4H^+(aq) + 4e^-} \). This showcases how water itself can participate in electrolysis.
Redox Reactions
- Reduction: This is the gain of electrons by ions or molecules, decreasing their oxidation state. In the electrolysis of \( \mathrm{AgNO_3} \), for example, \( \mathrm{Ag^+} \) ions are reduced at the cathode to metallic silver, \( \mathrm{Ag(s)} \).
- Oxidation: This involves the loss of electrons, increasing the oxidation state of the element. An example is the oxidation of \( \mathrm{Cl^-} \) ions to \( \mathrm{Cl_2(g)} \) at the anode in the electrolysis of \( \mathrm{CuCl_2} \).