Products Obtained by Electrolysis

Sr. Material for Anode Cathode Results Reactions

No. Electrolysis
1. fused NaCl graphite steel • sodium metal on Reaction:
cathode NaCl→ Na+ +Cl−
• chlorine gas on
anode. Reaction at anode: oxidation
graphite :
-
Cl(l) →1/2 Cl2(g) + e−
Reaction at cathode : reduction
steel :
Na+(Aq ) + e− →Na(s)
2. graphite graphite • only water is
Dilute aqueous electrolysed
solution of NaCl • hydrogen gas at
cathode
• oxygen gas at anode

3. graphite graphite • Cl2 gas is produced

Concentrated at anode
aqueous solution • H2 gas is produced
of NaCl at cathode
• NaOH is produced in
the solution
4. copper copper • copper electrode is
CuSO4 solution active electrode
(i) using copper • Copper anode
electrodes undergoes, oxidation
during electrolysis.
• With the progress of
electrolysis, mass of
 Products Obtained by Electrolysis
anode decrease and
mass of cathode
increases.
• Impure Cu is
purified by
electrolysis method
• Impurities of
inactive metals like
Au, Pt present in
impure copper
anode do not
• undergo oxidation.
These impurities fall
on the bottom of the
electrode when they
become free from
anode and is called
anode mud.

5. CuSO4 solution Pt or Pt or • water undergoes

(ii)using inactive graphite graphite oxidation, giving
electrodes inactive inactive oxygen at anode
electrod electrodes • Cu+2 ions undergo
es reduction at
cathode, they are
replaced by H+(aq)
• copper deposits on
cathode, oxygen
liberates at anode
• H2SO4 is produced
in the solution.