THE PRODUCT OF THE ELECTROLYSIS OF DILUTE SODIUM HYDROXIDE USING PLATINUM ELECTRODES ARE

• A. Hydrogen and oxygen gases ✓
• B. Water and hydrogen gas
• C. Water and sodium metal
• D. Sodium metal and oxygen gas

The answer to the question is: A. Hydrogen and oxygen gases

When dilute sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is subjected to electrolysis using platinum electrodes, the products formed are hydrogen gas (H2) and oxygen gas (O2). This process involves the decomposition of water molecules into their constituent elements through the application of an electric current.

Electrolysis Process: During the electrolysis of dilute sodium hydroxide, the following reactions occur at the electrodes:

At the cathode: 2H2O(l) + 2e- → H2(g) + 2OH-(aq)

At the anode: 4OH-(aq) → O2(g) + 2H2O(l) + 4e-

These reactions illustrate that hydrogen gas is produced at the cathode, while oxygen gas is produced at the anode. The overall reaction can be represented as:

2H2O(l) → 2H2(g) + O2(g)

This demonstrates that the electrolysis of dilute sodium hydroxide using platinum electrodes results in the formation of hydrogen and oxygen gases as the primary products.

Significance of Platinum Electrodes: Platinum electrodes are often used in electrolysis processes due to their inert nature, high conductivity, and resistance to corrosion. These properties make platinum electrodes suitable for facilitating various electrochemical reactions without undergoing chemical changes themselves.

In summary, when dilute sodium hydroxide is subjected to electrolysis using platinum electrodes, the resulting products are hydrogen and oxygen gases.