saltwater electrolysis

[Samson]

This might explain why the proportion of H to O is not 2 is to 1. It looked very fishy to me, but thanks, i will try to perform the experiment myself.

The proportion of H to O shoudl be 2 to 1. It is to do with the amount of electrons that are required at each electrode.

 

[Atlas14]

You are not comparing Cl with H, you are comparing it to O. However your question is still valid, as Cl has more (~ twice) the protons of O. However as it is only 1 electron short of a full orbital it has a higher ionisation energy per electron than O that requires 2 electrons to fill its orbitals.
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Ah, I see. I was 95% sure I was making that mistake, but I saw H and Cl being compared in the posts above mine, and I guess I lost confidence in my thinking.

This is also from memory, it has been nearly 15 years since I did this at A-level.

Off-topic im sorry, but what is the American equivalent to the A-level?

 

[Samson]

Off-topic im sorry, but what is the American equivalent to the A-level?

You tell me. It is usually done between the ages of 16 and 18.

 

[Shaihulud]

The proportion of H to O shoudl be 2 to 1.

It was explained to me that some of the oxygen is dissolved in the water. "A" level should be the last grade you study before University, or at least it is in SIngapore.

 

[Atlas14]

You tell me. It is usually done between the ages of 16 and 18.

Must be like our highschool, but more upper-level due to a slightly older starting age. Thanks .

 

[Samson]

Must be like our highschool, but more upper-level due to a slightly older starting age. Thanks .

You have to got to school until 16, when you do your GCSE's. A-levels are the next level, and are optional. I think it is now over 50% of the population who do them.

 

[Mr. Blonde]

My (educated) guess as a chemist is:

you get H2, Cl2 and NaOH initially, but

Cl2 will react in the alkaline solution to Cl- and ClO- (at least partially, depending on the present pH)


The reaction products can vary depending on the electrode afaik. It could be that you get O2 and not Cl2; however Cl2 would be produced without electrode phenomena.