Electrolysis

Question 1

What are two anions that are the hardest to be selectively discharged?

Answer 1

• Sulfate, SO4^2-
• Nitrate, NO3^-

Question 2

What is the sequence of anions that selectively discharge from hardest to easiest?

Answer 2

• Chloride, Cl^-
• Bromide, Br^-
• Iodide, I^-
• Hydroxide, OH^-

Question 3

In the case where both electrodes are reactive, which electrode will become the anode and cathode?

Answer 3

More reactive electrode will become the anode as it loses electrons easier, and the less reactive electrode will become the cathode