Assertion : Electrolysis of NaCl solution gives chlorine at anode instead of O 2 . Reason : Formation of oxygen at anode requires overvoltage.

Question

Philoid · Accepted Answer

(i) Both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of assertion.

In the electrolysis of NaCl solution, Chlorine is produced at anode instead of O_2. The two half-cell reactions are:

2Cl^-→ Cl_2(g) + 2e^- E^° = -1.36V

2H₂O → O_2(g) + 4H⁺ + 4e^- E^° = -1.23V

Generally, the one with the lower value is preferred but in this case Chlorine is produced at anode. This is because formation of oxygen at anode requires overvoltage.

Assertion : Electrolysis of NaCl solution gives chlorine at anode instead of O2.Reason : Formation of oxygen at anode requires overvoltage.

Assertion : Electrolysis of NaCl solution gives chlorine at anode instead of O₂.
Reason : Formation of oxygen at anode requires overvoltage.