1.54 describe experiments to investigate electrolysis, using inert electrodes, of aqueous solutions such as sodium chloride, copper(II) sulfate and dilute sulfuric acid and predict the products

SODIUM CHLORIDE:

- Place electrodes into solution, then at the anode, negatives will form and vice versa with the cathode.

- NaCl contains Na+, Cl-, OH- and H+
Hydrogen is easier to accept electrons and therefore at the cathode hydrogen gas is produced.
Chloride is easier to lose electrons than hydroxide and so chlorine gas is produced.

- CuSO4 contains Cu2+, SO4^2-, H+ and OH
Copper accepts electrons easier that hydrogen so copper is produced at the cathode.
Hydroxide loses electrons easier so at the anode oxygen and water are produced.

- H2SO4 contains SO4^2-, H+ and OH-
Hydrogen accepts electrons so at the cathode hydrogen is produced.
Hydroxide loses electrons easier than sulfate and so at the anode oxygen and water are produced.