Question

During the electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride the cathodic reaction is

• A. Oxidation of $Cl^-$ ion
• B. Oxidation of $Na^+$ ion
• C. Reduction of $H_2O$
• D. Oxidation of $H_2O$

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Reduction of $H_2O$

Answer 2

$2H^+ + 2e^- {->} H_2$ $H^+$ undergo reduction in preference to $Na^+$ because of greater reduction potential