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The apparatus shown below can be used to investigate the electrolysis of brine. What chemical

present in the sodium chloride solution provides the hydrogen that's collecting at the cathode?

The apparatus shown below can be used to investigate the electrolysis of brine. What-example-1

1 Answer

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We can see here that the chemical that is present in the sodium chloride solution that provides the hydrogen that's collecting at the cathode is the water.

In a sodium chloride (NaCl) solution undergoing electrolysis (such as in the process of electrolysis of water), the hydrogen gas collecting at the cathode is not directly provided by a chemical in the sodium chloride solution itself. Instead, it's generated through the electrolysis of water molecules present in the solution.

During electrolysis of water, water molecules (H₂O) dissociate into hydrogen ions (H⁺) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻). The cathode attracts positive ions (cations), which, in this case, are hydrogen ions (H⁺). At the cathode, the hydrogen ions (H⁺) gain electrons from the cathode electrode and are reduced, forming hydrogen gas (H₂).

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