2017 Q. Electrolysis of molten sodium chloride (NaCl) is conducted using inert electrodes. Which one of the following statements is correct?
(A) Sodium metal is produced at the anode (B) Sodium metal is produced at the cathode (C) Chlorine gas is produced at the anode (D) Hydrogen gas is produced at the cathode.
The correct answer is (C).
When molten sodium chloride is electrolyzed, sodium ions migrate to the cathode and are reduced to sodium metal. Chloride ions migrate to the anode and are oxidized to chlorine gas. Hydrogen gas is not produced in this reaction.
2016 Q. An aqueous solution of NaCl is electrolyzed. The products of electrolysis are
(A) Na and H2 (B) H2 and O2 (C) Na and O2 (D) H2 and Cl2
The correct answer is (D).
When an aqueous solution of NaCl is electrolyzed, sodium ions migrate to the cathode and are reduced to sodium metal. Hydrogen ions migrate to the anode and are oxidized to hydrogen gas. Chlorine gas is produced at the anode as a byproduct of the electrolysis
