27. When aqueous sodium chloride () is electrolyzed using inert Platinum electrodes, what are the pr β Electrochemistry Chemistry Question
Question
27. When aqueous sodium chloride ($NaCl$) is electrolyzed using inert Platinum electrodes, what are the primary products evolved at the cathode and anode, respectively?
Answer: C
π‘ Solution & Explanation
In aqueous NaCl, water is preferentially reduced over $Na^+$ at the cathode due to a higher reduction potential, yielding $H_2$. At the anode, although water oxidation to $O_2$ is thermodynamically favoured, the high kinetic overvoltage of $O_2$ evolution causes $Cl^-$ to be oxidized to $Cl_2$ instead.
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