Question
Question: Assertion: The electrolysis of acidified water is considered to be an example of catalysis. Reason...
Assertion: The electrolysis of acidified water is considered to be an example of catalysis.
Reason: An addition of acid like sulphuric acid makes it an electrolyte. In the presence of H+ and SO4−2 ions , water becomes capable of dissociation. Sulphuric acid does not take part in the reaction but promotes the reaction or increases the rate of the reaction.
A.Both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.
B.Both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion.
C.Assertion is correct Reason is incorrect.
D.Both Assertion and Reason are incorrect.
Solution
We must know that catalysis is the process to increase the rate of chemical reaction by the addition of catalyst. Pure / distilled water is a nonelectrolyte. An addition of acid like sulphuric acid makes it an electrolyte. In the presence of H+ and SO4−2 ions, water becomes capable of dissociation. Sulphuric acid doesn't take part in the reaction but promotes the reaction or increases the rate of the reaction.
Complete step by step answer:
Let’s start with understanding the concept behind the word catalysis. Catalysis can be described as a process which is used to increase the rate of chemical reaction by adding a substance which is known as a catalyst. Catalysts are not consumed during reaction and can be used repeatedly. Now, why would we consider electrolysis of acidulated water as an example of catalysis.
Well, when we try to pass electricity through pure water without any salts present in it the electricity does not pass through it. Electricity doesn’t flow because there are no ions present in pure water. But when we add acid to it or we can say that when we acidulate the water the acid dissociates into ions, these ions help in the flow of electricity for example we are having pure water and we add dil. H2SO4 to it. The dil. H2SO4 dissociates which leads to the formation H+ and SO4−2 ions.
These ions help in the passing of current which results in the decomposition of water. Hence, we can say electrolysis of acidulated water is considered to be an example of catalysis as acid acts as a catalyst which is added to pure water. Therefore, it can be called the catalyst of the reaction and thus the electrolysis of acidulated water is considered to be an example of catalysis.
Therefore, correct answer is option A i.e. Both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.
So, the correct answer is Option A.
Note: We must know that electrolysis is the process in which ionic substances get broken down into smaller and simpler substances when electric current is passed through them. It is used for electroplating, electrometallurgy of aluminium, lithium, sodium and many more processes.