Lecture 3 – Electrolysis of Water

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

Figure	Source of Figure
Figure 4	http://www.dynamicscience.com.au

Electrolysis of Water:

Pure distilled water is a non-conductor of electricity. A few drops of concentrated sulphuric acid are added to water to make it an electrolyte. These drops of sulphuric acid decomposes water molecules into the ions of H⁺ and OH^-.

Figure 4:

Negative ions present in the electrolyte:

SO₄^-2_(aq) and OH^-_(aq)

Reaction at the anode:

Positive ion present in the electrolyte:

H⁺_(aq)

Reaction at the cathode:

Overall, reaction of the cell:

The figure also reveals that the amount of hydrogen collected is twice in volume of the amount of oxygen collected, hence proving the formula of water, H₂O.

Using electrolysis in thus process, water is decomposed to its constituent elements, Hydrogen and Oxygen. This electrolysis continues till all the water is decomposed.