What products are obtained in the electrolysis of molten NaI?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the process of electrolysis. Electrolysis is a process that uses an electric current to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction. In this case, the electrolysis of molten NaI (sodium iodide) is being considered.
2. Step 2: Identify the ions present in the molten compound. In molten NaI, the ions present are Na+ and I-.
3. Step 3: Determine what happens at each electrode. During electrolysis, cations (positively charged ions) move towards the cathode (negative electrode) and anions (negatively charged ions) move towards the anode (positive electrode). So, Na+ ions will move towards the cathode and I- ions will move towards the anode.
4. Step 4: Write down the reactions at each electrode. At the cathode, Na+ ions will gain electrons (reduction) to form sodium metal. The reaction is: Na+ + e- -> Na. At the anode, I- ions will lose electrons (oxidation) to form iodine. The reaction is: 2I- -> I2 + 2e-.
5. Step 5: Combine the half-reactions to get the overall reaction. The overall reaction for the electrolysis of molten NaI is: 2NaI -> 2Na + I2. Therefore, the products of the electrolysis of molten NaI are sodium metal and iodine.

Key Concepts

Electrolysis

Electrolysis is a chemical process that uses electrical energy to drive a non-spontaneous reaction. In this process, an electric current is passed through an electrolyte, causing the decomposition of the compound into its constituent elements. The electrodes play a crucial role, with oxidation occurring at the anode and reduction at the cathode.

Ionic Compounds

Ionic compounds, such as sodium iodide (NaI), consist of positively and negatively charged ions held together by ionic bonds. When molten, these compounds can conduct electricity, allowing the ions to move freely. During electrolysis, the ions migrate towards the electrodes, where they undergo oxidation or reduction to form new products.

Products of Electrolysis

The products of electrolysis depend on the ions present in the electrolyte and the electrode reactions. In the case of molten NaI, sodium ions (Na+) are reduced at the cathode to form sodium metal, while iodide ions (I-) are oxidized at the anode to produce iodine gas (I2). Understanding these reactions is essential for predicting the outcomes of electrolysis.