What product is formed at the cathode during the electrolysis of concentrated sodium chloride solution using carbon electrodes?

Answer Details

During the electrolysis of concentrated sodium chloride solution using carbon electrodes, the product formed at the cathode is hydrogen. In this process, the chloride ions (Cl⁻) in the solution are attracted to the anode (positive electrode) and undergo oxidation to form chlorine gas (Cl₂) while water (H₂O) molecules are reduced at the cathode (negative electrode) to form hydrogen gas (H₂) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻). The overall reaction can be represented as: 2NaCl + 2H₂O → 2NaOH + H₂ + Cl₂ Since the electrolysis is carried out using carbon electrodes, neither sodium nor oxygen is produced at the electrodes as these reactions would require a more reactive electrode material than carbon. Thus, the product formed at the cathode is hydrogen gas.