Sodium sulfate solution contains sodium lons, Na+, sulfate ions, (SO4)2-, hydrogen ions, H+, and hydroxide ions, OH-. When sodium sulfate is electrolyzed, hydrogen is produced at one electrode and oxygen is produced at the other electrode.
Explain how these products are formed from the ions in the electrolysis process, indicating how you would identify the products.
(6 marks)

Water is oxidized and reduced at both electrodes

Electrolysis utilizes electrical energy to carry out non-spontaneous redox reactions. The ions in the solution flowed by an electric current will move toward the electrode opposite the charge.

The negative ions from the solution will move towards the positive electrode, and release electrons around the positive electrode (oxidation occurs) and electrons flow to the negative pole

While around the negative electrode electron binding occurs and a reduction reaction occurs

the reaction at the cathode:

1. the reduced active metal is water, other than that the metal will be reduced

2. H⁺ of the acid will be reduced

For reactions in anode:

1. if the electrodes are not inert then the metal is oxidized

2. If inert then:

a. OH⁻ from the base will be oxidized

b. The halogen metal will oxidize

2H₂O(l)+2e⁻⇒ H₂(g)+2OH⁻(aq)

2H₂O(l)⇒4H⁺(aq)+O₂(g)+4e⁻

yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

explanation:

c. heat could easily travel through the molecules in the air and escape/enter the flask. removing the air slows down the heat transfer.