[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]Industrial Chemistry > 4. The industrial production of sodium hydroxide requires the use of electrolysis > The Products of The Electrolysis of Sodium Chloride >[/cs_text][cs_text style=”color: #800000;font-family: “Oxygen”,sans-serif;”]Identify data, plan and perform a first-hand investigation to identify the products of the electrolysis of sodium chloride[/cs_text][cs_text]
- Different products can be formed when conducting electrolysis of sodium chloride
- Electrolysis of dilute NaCl produces oxygen gas at the anode and hydrogen gas + hydroxide ions at the cathode
- Electrolysis of concentrated NaCl produces chlorine gas at the anode and hydrogen gas + hydroxide ionsat the cathode
- Glowing splint test can be done to identify the gas formed at the electrode
- the gas formed is hydrogen if a ‘popping’ sound is heard
- the gas formed is oxygen if the splint reignites
- Litmus paper or indicators, such as phenolphthalein, can be used to identify products in solution form
- Presence of chloride ions results to bleaching of litmus paper
- Presence of hydroxide ion makes the solution with phenolphthalein turn purple
- Safety measures should be done when handling sodium hydroxide by wearing safety goggles and gloves to prevent burns and eye irritation
- Experiments involving chlorine gas should be done inside a fumehood as Cl2 gas is deemed toxic and can cause respiratory problems
[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]