Question:easy

The products obtained during the electrolysis of aqueous solution of sodium chloride are:

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Remember the chlor-alkali process: \[ \begin{aligned} \text{Anode Product} \quad & : \quad Cl_2 \\ \text{Cathode Product} \quad & : \quad H_2 \\ \text{Solution Formed} \quad & : \quad NaOH \end{aligned} \] Thus, electrolysis of brine produces chlorine gas, hydrogen gas and sodium hydroxide.
Updated On: Jun 16, 2026
  • Na, Cl$_2$
  • Na, O$_2$
  • NaOH, Cl$_2$
  • NaOH, H$_2$, Cl$_2$
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Set up the cell.
In water, $NaCl$ splits into $Na^+$ and $Cl^-$, and water gives a few $H^+$ and $OH^-$ ions. So the solution has $Na^+, H^+$ moving to the cathode and $Cl^-, OH^-$ moving to the anode.

Step 2: Look at the cathode (reduction).
Two ions could be reduced here, $Na^+$ and $H^+$. Sodium is very hard to deposit from water because $H^+$ is reduced much more easily. So hydrogen gas is released, not sodium metal.
\[ 2H^+ + 2e^- \rightarrow H_2 \]

Step 3: Look at the anode (oxidation).
Here $Cl^-$ and $OH^-$ compete. Because the chloride is in fairly high concentration (brine), chlorine gas comes off in practice.
\[ 2Cl^- \rightarrow Cl_2 + 2e^- \]

Step 4: What is left in solution.
Once $H^+$ is pulled out as $H_2$, the leftover $OH^-$ stays with $Na^+$ in the beaker. That means $NaOH$ builds up in the solution.

Step 5: Collect all products.
At the electrodes we get $H_2$ and $Cl_2$ gases, and the solution becomes $NaOH$.

Step 6: Pick the answer.
So the products are $NaOH, H_2$ and $Cl_2$ together.
\[ \boxed{NaOH,\ H_2,\ Cl_2} \]
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