What are the different gases formed when an electric current is passed through water during the process of electrolysis?
When an electric current is passed through water during the process of electrolysis, it causes the water molecules to break down into hydrogen and oxygen gases. This is because water is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
To understand why this happens, you need to know about the process of electrolysis. Electrolysis occurs when an electric current is passed through a liquid or solution containing ions. In the case of water, it dissociates into ions: positively charged hydrogen ions (H+) and negatively charged hydroxide ions (OH-).
During electrolysis, the positive electrode is called the anode, and the negative electrode is called the cathode. At the anode, the positively charged hydrogen ions are attracted and give up their electrons. This forms hydrogen gas (H2). The chemical equation for this reaction is:
2H+ + 2e- → H2
At the cathode, the negatively charged hydroxide ions, along with the water molecule, gain electrons and undergo a reaction called reduction. This results in the formation of oxygen gas (O2) and water. The chemical equation for this reaction is:
4OH- - 4e- → 2H2O + O2
So, when an electric current is passed through water during electrolysis, the different gases formed at the anode and cathode are hydrogen gas (H2) and oxygen gas (O2), respectively.
When an electric current is passed through water during the process of electrolysis, the following gases are formed:
1. Hydrogen gas (H2): Hydrogen gas is produced at the cathode (negative electrode) during electrolysis. The water molecules (H2O) are split, and the hydrogen ions (H+) are reduced to form hydrogen gas.
2. Oxygen gas (O2): Oxygen gas is produced at the anode (positive electrode) during electrolysis. The water molecules are split, and the hydroxide ions (OH-) are oxidized to form oxygen gas.
So, during the electrolysis of water, hydrogen gas is formed at the cathode, and oxygen gas is formed at the anode.