Sodium chloride solution contains sodium ions, chloride ions, hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions. The solution is electrolysed using inert electrodes.
Write the half equation for the reaction at the negative electrode.
Write the half equation for the reaction at the positive electrode.
Explain why the reaction at the positive electrode is an oxidation.
Explain why hydrogen, and not sodium, is produced at the negative electrode.
40 exam-style questions on AQA GCSE Chemistry 4.3 Electrolysis, covering 4.3.1a The process of electrolysis, 4.3.1b Half equations in electrolysis, 4.3.2 Electrolysis of molten ionic compounds, 4.3.3 Using electrolysis to extract metals, 4.3.4 Electrolysis of aqueous solutions, and 4.3.5 Representation of reactions at electrodes as half equations. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.