Question

Electrolyzing molten NaCl produces what products at the cathode and anode, respectively?

A) Na(I), Cl2(g)
B) Cl2(g), Na(1)
C) Na+(aq), Cl-(aq)
D) Cl-(aq), Na+(aq)
E) Na(1), CI(I)

Answer 1

Electrolyzing molten NaCl, also known as sodium chloride or common table salt, involves passing an electric current through the molten (liquid) compound to cause a chemical change. This process is called electrolysis and it separates the compound into its constituent elements.

Here are the steps to identify the correct products at the cathode and anode:

Step 1: Identify the Components of Molten NaCl

- Molten NaCl consists of sodium ions (Na⁺) and chloride ions (Cl⁻).

Step 2: Understand the Electrolysis Process

- During electrolysis, positive ions (cations) move towards the cathode (negative electrode), and negative ions (anions) move towards the anode (positive electrode).

Step 3: Determine the Reactions at the Electrodes

- At the cathode, sodium ions (Na⁺) gain electrons (reduction) to form sodium metal (Na).

- At the anode, chloride ions (Cl⁻) lose electrons (oxidation) to form chlorine gas (Cl₂).

Step 4: Write Down the Products Formed at Each Electrode

- Cathode (reduction): Na⁺ + e⁻ → Na(l)

- Anode (oxidation): 2Cl⁻ → Cl₂(g) + 2e⁻

Step 5: Match the Products to the Answer Choices

- The correct products are sodium metal (Na) at the cathode and chlorine gas (Cl₂) at the anode.

Based on these steps, the correct answer is:

A) Na(l), Cl₂(g)

Answer 2

During the electrolysis of molten NaCl, liquid sodium is produced at the cathode, and chlorine gas is generated at the anode; thus, the answer is A) Na(l), Cl₂(g).

Step-by-step explanation:

When electrolyzing molten NaCl (sodium chloride), the products at the cathode and the anode are different than when electrolyzing its aqueous solution. At the cathode, which is the negative electrode, the reaction Na+ + e→Na(l) occurs, and sodium (Na) is produced in its liquid form due to the high temperature of the molten salt but below the melting point of metallic sodium. At the anode, which is the positive electrode, 2Cl → Cl₂(g) + 2e occurs, resulting in the formation of chlorine gas (Cl₂). The correct answer is A) Na(l), Cl₂(g), which indicates that liquid sodium is produced at the cathode and chlorine gas is produced at the anode.