Question:
Predict the products of electrolysis in each of the following:
(i) An aqueous solution of AgNO3 with silver electrodes.
(ii) An aqueous solution of AgNO3with platinum electrodes.
(iii) A dilute solution of H2SO4with platinum electrodes.
(iv) An aqueous solution of CuCl2 with platinum electrodes.
Solution:
(i) At cathode:
The following reduction reactions compete to take place at the cathode.
$\mathrm{Ag}_{(a q)}^{+}+\mathrm{e}^{-} \longrightarrow \mathrm{Ag}_{(s)} ; E^{0}=0.80 \mathrm{~V}$
$\mathrm{H}^{+}{ }_{(\alpha)}^{+}\mathrm{e}^{-} \longrightarrow \frac{1}{2} \mathrm{H}_{2(g)} ; \quad E^{o}=0.00 \mathrm{~V}$