During the electrolysis of aqueous NaCl

CHEMISTRY · Subjective · AP · Chemistry · Thermodynamics and Electrochemistry · Thermodynamics and Electrochemistry

Problem

During the electrolysis of aqueous NaCl, oxygen gas is sometimes produced at the anode instead of chlorine gas. Explain, in one or two sentences, why the formation of oxygen lowers the percent yield of chlorine.

Related theory

Faraday's laws of electrolysis
Electrochemistry
Selective discharge of ions
Electrolytic Cells and Electrolysis

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