What is the primary product of the electrolysis of molten sodium chloride?
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the primary product of the electrolysis of molten sodium chloride?
Sodium metal
Chlorine gas
Sodium hydroxide
Hydrogen gas
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the primary product of the electrolysis of molten sodium chloride?
Step 1: Understand that electrolysis is a process that uses electricity to break down a substance.
Step 2: Know that molten sodium chloride (NaCl) is made by heating solid sodium chloride until it melts.
Step 3: Identify the two electrodes used in electrolysis: the cathode (negative electrode) and the anode (positive electrode).
Step 4: At the cathode, sodium ions (Na+) gain electrons to form sodium metal (Na).
Step 5: At the anode, chloride ions (Cl-) lose electrons to form chlorine gas (Cl2).
Step 6: Conclude that the primary products of the electrolysis of molten sodium chloride are sodium metal at the cathode and chlorine gas at the anode.
