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2024 O Level Chem P1 Q24 — Electrolysis of Aqueous Solutions Solution

Electrolysis of Aqueous Solutions 2024 O Level Pure Chemistry · Paper 1 · Q24

Question

Three electrolysis experiments are described.
1 the electrolysis of dilute aqueous sodium chloride with graphite electrodes.
2 the electrolysis of concentrated aqueous sodium chloride with graphite electrodes.
3 the electrolysis of aqueous copper(II) sulfate with copper electrodes. In which of the electrolysis experiments is the same element oxidised at one of the electrodes and reduced at the other?
  1. A1, 2 and 3
  2. B1 and 2 only
  3. C1 only
  4. D3 only
Correct answer: D

Video Solution

Explanation

Answer: D. The phrase 'same element oxidised at one electrode and reduced at the other' identifies a metal-refining type of electrolysis.

Experiment 1 (dilute NaCl, graphite): oxygen is released at the anode (from water), hydrogen at the cathode (from water) — two different elements.

Experiment 2 (concentrated NaCl, graphite): chlorine at the anode, hydrogen at the cathode — different elements.

Experiment 3 (\(\text{CuSO}_4\), copper electrodes): at the anode, copper is oxidised: \(\text{Cu} \rightarrow \text{Cu}^{2+} + 2\text{e}^{-}\). At the cathode, copper is reduced: \(\text{Cu}^{2+} + 2\text{e}^{-} \rightarrow \text{Cu}\). Same element — copper — at both electrodes. This is the electrorefining set-up.

Only experiment 3 fits → answer D.

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