Question

What will happen if an aqueous solution of NaCl is subjected to electrolysis?

Answer 1

Electrolysis of a NaCl aqueous solution results in the evolution of H₂ at the cathode and Cl₂ at the anode. As a byproduct, an aqueous solution of NaOH is produced.

\[\ce{NaCl (fused) -> Na+ + Cl-}\]

At anode: \[\ce{Cl^-_{ (aq)} + e- -> \frac{1}{2} Cl2_{(g)}}\]

At cathode: \[\ce{2H2O_{(l)} + 2e- -> 2OH^-_{ (aq)} + H2_{(g)}}\]