For the electrolysis of molten potassium bromide:
Write the equation for the overall reaction.
2KBr ==> 2K + Br2
Overall equation of reaction type
Thankyou
To write the equation for the overall reaction of the electrolysis of molten potassium bromide, we need to understand the individual processes occurring at each electrode.
During electrolysis, a direct current (DC) is passed through the molten potassium bromide (KBr) to break it down into its constituent elements, potassium (K) and bromine (Br2). This process takes place in an electrolytic cell with two electrodes: the anode and the cathode.
At the anode (positive electrode):
2Br⁻(l) → Br2(g) + 2e⁻
Bromide ions (Br⁻) gain electrons and are oxidized to form bromine gas (Br2), as they lose their negative charge and become neutral.
At the cathode (negative electrode):
2K⁺(l) + 2e⁻ → 2K(l)
Potassium ions (K⁺) gain electrons and are reduced to form potassium metal (K), as they become neutral.
Combining these two half-reactions, the overall equation for the electrolysis of molten potassium bromide is:
2KBr(l) → 2K(l) + Br2(g)
This equation represents the decomposition of molten potassium bromide into metallic potassium and gaseous bromine through the process of electrolysis.