Chlorine gas is produced industrially by the electrolysis of molten NaCl
CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · AP · Chemistry · Thermodynamics and Electrochemistry · Thermodynamics and Electrochemistry
Problem
Chlorine gas is produced industrially by the electrolysis of molten NaCl. In a pilot run, a current of 2.50 A is passed through the molten salt for 1.75 h. At the end of the run, 5.10 g of Cl₂ is collected at the anode.
(a) Calculate the theoretical mass of Cl₂ that should be produced under the stated operating conditions.
(b) Compute the percent yield for the formation of Cl₂ in this run.
(c) Trace amounts of moisture were later detected inside the gas collection line. Predict qualitatively whether this contamination would have increased or decreased the percent yield you calculated in part (b), and justify your prediction in terms of competing electrode processes.