Say I want to electrolyse dilute H2SO4
At the anode the reaction is: 4OH- -> 2H2O + O2 +
4e-
At the cathode: 2H+ + 2e- ->H2
Overall reaction : 2H2O -> 2H2 + O2
I am not sure how to obtain the overall reaction. After all,
water is also produced so why does the final equation not include
water?
And if we continue to electrolyse H2SO4, we will finally get a
more concentrated solution. Reason being all the water is converted
into molecules of H2 and O2, and with less water molecules, this
leads to the solution being more concentrated with the acidic
molecules. I constructed the explanation myself.
The highlighted part is that included in the answers given. What
does it mean by with the acidic molecules? For me, removal of water
means less dilute, hence more concentrated. Any other logical way
to understand this?
Thanks !
Water is converted to H2 and O2 as its being produced so its not
written in the product. You cannot have a reactant and a product
being the same compound.
Acidic molecules should refer to the H+ or H3O+ depending on
which you all learn.