Thread: Electrolysis
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Old 21st December 2009, 10:34 PM
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alga alga is offline
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Anyone strong in chemistry? What reactions are going on on the electrodes?

In my limited understanding, on the cathode Na+ gets an electron, turns into metallic Na, which then reduces Fe2O3 to Fe and Na2O. This in turn reacts with water, turns into NaOH + H2. Bubbles.

On the anode, CO3-2 gets looses the charge, turns into CO2 and O2, bubbles. Right?

I think the solution must turn progressively more alkaline as CO2 escapes.
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