Electrolysis of water (a) what is the process known as the \"electrolysis of wat

Question

Electrolysis of water

(a) what is the process known as the "electrolysis of water"?

(b) Sodium sulfate is added to water to facilitate it electrolysis. What is the purpose of the sodium sulfate?

(c) list two half reaction with their standard half cell voltages that when combined result in the equation for the hydrolysis of water.

(d) what is the overall cell equation for part (a)?

(e) why is the sign of the cell voltage in part (d) negative?

(g) why is the sign of the free energy positive?

I am so confused. I went to tutoring and no one knew how to do this.

Explanation / Answer

(a) Electrolysis of water is the decomposition of water (H2O) into oxygen (O2) and hydrogen gas (H2) due to an electric current being passed through the water

(b) sodium sulphate acts as electrolyte

(c)

Anode (oxidation): 2 H2O(l) ? O2(g) + 4 H+(aq) + 4e?    Eo
ox = -1.23 V (Eo
red = 1.23 )[5])

Cathode (reduction): 2 H+(aq) + 2e? ? H2(g)    Eo
red = 0.00 V

(d) Overall reaction: 2 H2O(l) ? 2 H2(g) + O2(g)

(e) since the process is oxidation

(f) ?G = ?H - T?S = 285.83 kJ - 48.7 kJ = 237.1 kJ

(g) Since the electrolysis process results in an increase in entropy, the environment "helps" the process by contributing the amount T?S. The utility of the Gibbs free energy is that it tells you what amount of energy in other forms must be supplied to get the process to proceed

(f) no,it doesnt agree

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