Question

Assertion (A): Electrolysis of aqueous NaCl gives H$_2$ at cathode and Cl$_2$ at anode.
Reason (R): Chlorine has higher oxidation potential than H$_2$O.

• A. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
• B. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
• C. Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
• D. Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

Hint:

In electrolysis, the substance with the higher oxidation potential is oxidized at the anode. For NaCl, Cl$^-$ is oxidized to Cl$_2$.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

In the electrolysis of aqueous NaCl, hydrogen gas (H$_2$) is liberated at the cathode, and chlorine gas (Cl$_2$) is liberated at the anode. This is because chlorine has a higher oxidation potential than water, which leads to the oxidation of chloride ions to chlorine gas at the anode. Hence, both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion.