Question

What happens during electrolysis of brine.

Answer 1

Hint : Brine is the mixture of table salt $NaCl$ in water ${H_2}O$ . Electrolysis is a phenomenon in which one of the electrolytes is decomposed due to the passage of the electricity through the medium i.e., the aqueous or molten or fused medium. Different methods of electrolysis are galvanic electrolysis, thermolysis electrolysis, and blend electrolysis.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
Electrochemistry is the branch of chemistry which deals with the study of the changes that take place in a reaction when current is passed through it. The reaction usually has the mechanism of a redox reaction. Redox reactions are the simultaneous occurring of the oxidation as well as reduction. Oxidation is gain of oxygen, loss of electrons and hydrogen, whereas reduction is the loss of oxygen, gain of electrons and hydrogen.
Brine is the solution that has sodium chloride mixed with water. In the process of electrolysis an electric current is passed to bring a chemical change and the formation of new products. The main use of this electrolysis is for the production of the chlorine from the table salt. However other products are also collected like sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. The reaction is as followed: -
$2NaCl + 2{H_2}O\xrightarrow{{electrolysis}}C{l_2} + 2NaOH + {H_2}$

Note :
The use of various outputs of the electrolysis of brine are as follows, (i) Chlorine: - disinfectant, preparation of plastic, synthesis of hydrochloric acid, etc. (ii) Sodium Hydroxide: - food products, removal of pollutants, cleansing of water, etc. (iii) Hydrogen gas: - synthesis of hydrochloric acid, future vehicles’ fuel (Hydrogen as fuel), nuclear reactors, etc.