Match List I with List II:
| List I | List II |
| A. aq. \(NaCl\) solution with \(Pt\) electrodes | I. Oxygen gas evolved at anode |
| B. Dilute solution of \(H_2SO_4\) with \(Pt\) electrodes | II. Metal loss at anode |
| C. aq. \(CuCl_2\) with \(Pt\) electrode | III. Hydrogen gas evolved at cathode |
| D. aq. \(CuCl_2\) with \(Cu\) electrodes | IV. Metal deposited at cathode |
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is option 4. A-III, B-I, C-IV, D-II.
| List I | List II |
| A. aq. \(NaCl\) solution with \(Pt\) electrodes | III. Hydrogen gas evolved at cathode |
| B. Dilute solution of \(H_2SO_4\) with \(Pt\) electrodes | I. Oxygen gas evolved at anode |
| C. aq. \(CuCl_2\) with \(Pt\) electrode | IV. Metal deposited at cathode |
| D. aq. \(CuCl_2\) with \(Cu\) electrodes | II. Metal loss at anode |
Let us dive into the electrochemical processes involved in each case to better understand the matching of List I with List II.
A. Aqueous \( \text{NaCl} \) Solution with \( \text{Pt} \) Electrodes
Electrolysis Process:
Dissociation in Water:
Sodium chloride (\( \text{NaCl} \)) dissociates into sodium ions (\( \text{Na}^+ \)) and chloride ions (\( \text{Cl}^- \)) in water:
\(\text{NaCl} \rightarrow \text{Na}^+ + \text{Cl}^-\)
At the Cathode (Negative Electrode):
The cathode attracts cations, so \( \text{Na}^+ \) ions and \( \text{H}_2\text{O} \) molecules will move toward the cathode.
However, sodium ions (\( \text{Na}^+ \)) are not reduced because water is more easily reduced. The reduction of water occurs:
\(2\text{H}_2\text{O} + 2e^- \rightarrow \text{H}_2 + 2\text{OH}^-\)
Result: Hydrogen gas (\( \text{H}_2 \)) is evolved at the cathode, and hydroxide ions (\( \text{OH}^- \)) remain in solution.
At the Anode (Positive Electrode):
The anode attracts anions, so \( \text{Cl}^- \) ions will move toward the anode.
Chloride ions are oxidized to form chlorine gas (\( \text{Cl}_2 \)):
\(2\text{Cl}^- \rightarrow \text{Cl}_2 + 2e^-\)
Result: Chlorine gas (\( \text{Cl}_2 \)) is evolved at the anode.
Conclusion:
Hydrogen gas is evolved at the cathode.
Correct Match:III (Hydrogen gas evolved at cathode)
B. Dilute Solution of \( \text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 \) with \( \text{Pt} \) Electrodes
Electrolysis Process:
Dissociation in Water:
Sulfuric acid (\( \text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 \)) dissociates into hydrogen ions (\( \text{H}^+ \)) and sulfate ions (\( \text{SO}_4^{2-} \)):
\(\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 \rightarrow 2\text{H}^+ + \text{SO}_4^{2-}\)
At the Cathode (Negative Electrode):
The cathode attracts \( \text{H}^+ \) ions. These hydrogen ions are reduced to form hydrogen gas:
\(2\text{H}^+ + 2e^- \rightarrow \text{H}_2\)
Result: Hydrogen gas (\( \text{H}_2 \)) is evolved at the cathode.
At the Anode (Positive Electrode):
The anode attracts \( \text{SO}_4^{2-} \) ions, but sulfate ions are not easily oxidized. Instead, water molecules (\( \text{H}_2\text{O} \)) are oxidized:
\(2\text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{O}_2 + 4\text{H}^+ + 4e^-\)
Result: Oxygen gas (\( \text{O}_2 \)) is evolved at the anode.
Conclusion:
Oxygen gas is evolved at the anode. Correct Match: I (Oxygen gas evolved at anode)
C. Aqueous \( \text{CuCl}_2 \) with \( \text{Pt} \) Electrodes
Electrolysis Process:
Dissociation in Water:
Copper(II) chloride (\( \text{CuCl}_2 \)) dissociates into copper ions (\( \text{Cu}^{2+} \)) and chloride ions (\( \text{Cl}^- \)):
\(\text{CuCl}_2 \rightarrow \text{Cu}^{2+} + 2\text{Cl}^-\)
At the Cathode (Negative Electrode):
The cathode attracts \( \text{Cu}^{2+} \) ions. These copper ions are reduced to form solid copper:
\(\text{Cu}^{2+} + 2e^- \rightarrow \text{Cu}\)
Result: Copper metal is deposited at the cathode.
At the Anode (Positive Electrode):
The anode attracts \( \text{Cl}^- \) ions. These chloride ions are oxidized to form chlorine gas:
\(2\text{Cl}^- \rightarrow \text{Cl}_2 + 2e^-\)
Result: Chlorine gas (\( \text{Cl}_2 \)) is evolved at the anode.
Conclusion:
Metal (copper) is deposited at the cathode. Correct Match: IV (Metal deposited at cathode)
D. Aqueous \( \text{CuCl}_2 \) with \( \text{Cu} \) Electrodes
Electrolysis Process:
Dissociation in Water:
Copper(II) chloride (\( \text{CuCl}_2 \)) dissociates into copper ions (\( \text{Cu}^{2+} \)) and chloride ions (\( \text{Cl}^- \)):
\(\text{CuCl}_2 \rightarrow \text{Cu}^{2+} + 2\text{Cl}^-\)
At the Cathode (Negative Electrode):
The cathode attracts \( \text{Cu}^{2+} \) ions. These copper ions are reduced to form solid copper:
\(\text{Cu}^{2+} + 2e^- \rightarrow \text{Cu}\)
Result: Copper metal is deposited at the cathode.
At the Anode (Positive Electrode):
Here, the anode is made of copper metal. Copper atoms from the anode are oxidized to form \( \text{Cu}^{2+} \) ions, which go into the solution:
\(\text{Cu} \rightarrow \text{Cu}^{2+} + 2e^-\)
Result: The copper anode loses metal as it dissolves into the solution.
Conclusion:
Metal loss occurs at the anode as copper dissolves into the solution. Correct Match: II (Metal loss at anode).
Thus, the correct answer is Option 4.