ELECTROLYSIS OF

AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
ELECTROLYSIS OF AQUEOUS
SOLUTIONS

 In electrolysis of an aqueous solution,

H+ & OH- are also present in addition to
the anions & cations of the dissolved
compounds.
o When electricity passed through aq
solution it will undergoes electrolysis.

o CuSO4 solution consists of :

i- Cu2+ (copper) ion
ii- SO42- (sulphate) ion
iii- H+ (hydrogen) ion
iv- OH- (hydroxide) ion
o All of these ions can move freely
o During electrolysis,
- the cations (H+ & Cu2+) move to
cathode.
- Cu2+ are selectively discharged.
- each ions accepts 2 electrons.
- Cu2+ + 2e → Cu (s)
- thus Cu metal is formed at the
cathode.
 The anions (OH- & SO42-) move to
anode.

OH- ions are selectively discharged

Donating electrons

 4OH-(aq) → 2H2O(l) + O2(g) + 4e

Bubbles of O2 can be seen at the

anode.