Question

Give reason for the following:

The ratio of hydrogen and oxygen formed at the cathode and anode is 2 : 1 by volume.

Answer 1

As per electrolytic reactions, 4H⁺¹ is needed at the cathode and 4OH⁻ at the anode, and two water molecules are produced at the anode. Hence, for every two molecules of water, two molecules of hydrogen and one molecule of oxygen are liberated at the cathode and anode, respectively.

\[\ce{2H2 ->[H2SO4][Current]2H2[cathode] + O2[anode]}\]