Discussion

This experiment is about electrolysis cell in electrolysis of aqueous solution. The objectives of

this experiment to identify the reaction occurring at the anode and cathode during the

electrolysis of various aqueous salt solutions, to observe the electrolysis of water and the gases

liberated at the electrodes and to study the suitable electrode and aqueous solution for water

splitting process. The products that result from the electrolysis of various salt solutions was

observed and identified.

The electrode was used in this experiment is same but different for electrolyte solution. For

distilled water as electrolytes solution was showed result there no changes in the solution

because there no electron moves to the anode and cathode. For electrolyte 0.001 M NaCl a little

bubble appeared at both carbon electrode and no colour changed after adding phenolphthalein

this is because the concentration of NaCl very low that why only a little electron inside the

solution. 0.5 NaCl solution with carbon electrode a bubble appeared at both carbon electrode

and after adding phenolphthalein the colour of solution become pink. This electrolyte solution

in higher concentration than 0.001 M NaCl that why they show changes in colour after adding

a few of phenolphthalein.

Electrolyte Solution Dissociation of Expectation of selected ion and

Electrolyte product

NaCl (Dilute) NaCl → Na+ + Cl- Ions migrating to cathode: Na+, H+

0.01 M H2O → H+ + OH- Ion discharge at cathode: H+
Product at cathode : H2 gas

Ion migrating to anode: Cl-, OH-

Ion discharged at anode:OH-
Product at anode:O2 gas

NaCl (Concentrated) NaCl → Na+ + Cl- Ions migrating to cischarathode: Na+,

0.5 M H2O → H+ + OH- H+
Ions discharged at cathode: H+
Product at cathode: H2 gas
 Ion migrating to anode: Cl-, OH-
Ion discharged at anode: Cl-
Product at anode : Cl2 gas

For 0.5 NaBr by using carbon as electrode show that both got bubble and positive electrode

produce yellow bubble and yellow precipitate and the solution turned to pink after adding some

of phenolphthalein. The positive electrode produced yellow bubble because of the bromine ion

attract to positive electrode and produced yellow precipitate.

Electrolyte Solution Dissociation of Expectation of selected ion and

Electrolyte product

NaBr NaBr → Na+ + Br_ Ion migrating to cathode: Na+, H+

0.5 M H2O → H+ + OH- Ion discharged at cathode: H+
Product at cathode: H2 gas

Ions migrating to anode: Br-, OH-

Ions discharged at anode: Br-
Product at anode: Br2 gas

For 0.5 Na2SO4 electrolyte solution using carbon as electrode, both of carbon produced a lot of

bubble and change colour to pink after adding phenolphthalein. For 0. 5 Na2SO4 using copper

as electrode only one of electrode produce bubble and the solution change to blue and brown

precipitate was formed. The solution turned to blue colour because the copper was discharged

and attracted to the negatively charge anode, the brown precipitated is from the copper

electrode where 𝐶𝑢2+ reduced to form copper metal.

Electrolyte Solution Dissociation of Expectation of selected ion and

Electrolyte product

Na2SO4 Na2SO4 → Na+ + SO42- Ions migrating to cathode: Na+, H+

0.5 M H2O → H+ + OH- Ions discharged at cathode: H+
Product at cathode: H2 gas

Ions migrating at anode: SO42- ,OH-

 Ions discharged at anode: OH-
Product at anode: O2 gas

Na2SO4 Na2SO4 → Na+ + SO42- Ions migrating to cathode:

0.5 M H2O → H+ + OH- Ions discharged at cathode:
(Copper/Copper) Product at cathode:

Ions migrating at anode:

Ions discharged at anode:
Product at anode:
Conclusion

As a conclusion in electrolysis of Aqueous solution the role of water is very important on the

electrolysis. this more complicated when you electrolyse a solution rather than a melt because

the presence of water. Water is very weak electrolyte, because it splits to very small extent into

hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions

+ −
𝐻2 𝑂(𝐼) → 𝐻(𝑎𝑞) + 𝑂𝐻(𝑎𝑞)

That means there are more than one ion arriving at each electrode, and there can be choice

over which gets discharged first. By using electrochemical series, the table have lists a few

metal (and hydrogen) showing their tendency to lose electrons. The more negative 𝐸 ° value

the greater tendency of one of these elements to lose electrons and form their ions.