I don't have the solution to these questions, so could anyone tell me if this is right or where I've gone wrong? (I have a feeling it's going to be the latter- we haven't started electrolysis at school and I'm not too confident...)
Predict what changes will occur around each electrode, and the products formed after electrolysis proceeds for a short time. What differences, if any, might be observed after a long time?
1. A solution of 1M Na2SO4 is electrolysed using copper electrodes.
Cathode:
Na+(aq)+2e- --> Na(s)
-Initially, sodium plating will form on the copper electrode.
-After a long time, the Na+ will be "used up"
Anode: Cu(s) --> Cu 2+(aq) + 2e-
-Initially, copper electrode will dissolve
-After a long time, electrode will be "used up"
(***Question - the water doesn't react afterwards, does it? I'm thinking that it won't because once the Cu is used up there's no more cathode...or does this reaction: 2H2O(l) --> O2(g) + 4H+(aq) + 4e- occur anyway, once the copper has fully reacted?
2. A solution of 0.1m CuCl2 and 0.01M AlCl3 is electrolysed using inert electrodes.
Cathode: Cu2+(aq) + 2e- --> Cu(s)
and then: Al3++3e- -->Al(s)
- Initially, solution will lose blue-green colouring and copper plating will form on cathode
- Eventually (when copper ions are used up), aluminium plating will form on the cathode
Anode: 2H2O(l) --> O2(g) + 4H+ + 4e-
Then: 2Cl-(aq) --> Cl2(g) + 2e-
- Initially, pH will decrease due to H+ production, and O2 gas will form bubbles at the anode
- Eventually, bubbles of Cl2 gas will form at the anode
3. A solution of 0.05M FeCl2 using Ag electrodes
Cathode: 2H2O(l) + 2e- --> H2(g) + 2OH-(aq)
Fe3+ + e---> Fe2+
Initially, pH increases and H2 gas is produced around cathode
Eventually, iron (III) ions react...
Anode: Fe2+ --> Fe3+ + e-)
Ag(s) --> Ag+ + e-
Initially, ion (III) ions are produced
Eventually, ion (III) ions are used up in the reaction at the cathode; Ag anode dissolves
(I know this is probably wrong, having Fe2+ acting as an oxidant and a reductant....how do you work it out?)
Thanks, sorry this is so long!