sodium is manufactured commercially by electrolysis of molten sodium chloride. explain why it is not possible to use sodium chloride solution for this.
http://chem.lapeer.org/Chem2Docs/chlorine.html
that is because it will electrolysis the water into H2 and O2 ...
it takes more energy to electrolysis NaCL to Na and Cl2 than H2O to H2 and O2
The electrolysis of molten sodium chloride is the preferred method for commercial production of sodium because it allows for the separation of sodium metal from the chloride ions. Using a sodium chloride solution instead of molten sodium chloride would not be ideal for several reasons:
1. Conductivity: Electrolysis requires a conductive medium for the flow of electric current. While molten sodium chloride is an excellent conductor, a sodium chloride solution has a significantly lower conductivity. This is because the presence of water in the solution disrupts the ionization of sodium and chloride ions, making it difficult for the electric current to pass through.
2. Electrolysis products: When a current passes through an electrolyte, positive ions move towards the negative electrode (cathode) and negative ions move towards the positive electrode (anode). In the case of a sodium chloride solution, instead of obtaining pure sodium metal at the cathode, the presence of water would lead to the formation of hydrogen gas (H2) instead. This is because water can undergo electrolysis and take priority over the chloride ions present in the solution.
3. Melting point: Sodium chloride has a relatively high melting point around 801°C (1474°F). This means that the sodium chloride solution would need to be heated to a high temperature to achieve a molten state for electrolysis to occur. Managing such high temperatures for commercial-scale production may be challenging and energy-intensive.
In summary, using a sodium chloride solution for electrolysis would hinder the process due to poor conductivity, improper electrolysis products, and the need for high temperatures. Hence, molten sodium chloride is the preferred medium for commercial sodium production through electrolysis.