Electrolysis of Water Equation
The chemical equation for electrolysis of water is: 2H₂O = power on = 2H₂↑ + O₂↑.
The following is a more detailed interpretation of this equation:
Reaction essence
Water (H₂O) is a compound formed by hydrogen atoms and oxygen atoms bonded by covalent bonds. Under the action of direct current, water molecules will gain and lose electrons on the surface of the electrode, thereby achieving decomposition.
At the cathode of the electrolytic cell (the electrode connected to the negative pole of the power supply), the hydrogen ions (H⁺) in the water will gain electrons and undergo a reduction reaction. The reaction process can be expressed as: 2H⁺ + 2e⁻ = H₂↑. Multiple hydrogen ions continue to gain electrons, eventually polymerizing into hydrogen (H₂) molecules and escaping from the solution to form bubbles.
At the anode (the electrode connected to the positive pole of the power supply), the hydroxide ions (OH⁻) in the water lose electrons and undergo an oxidation reaction. The specific reaction formula is: 4OH⁻ – 4e⁻ = O₂↑ + 2H₂O. After the hydroxide ions lose electrons, they generate oxygen (O₂) and water (H₂O), and oxygen escapes from the solution in the form of gas.
Combining the reactions occurring at the cathode and anode electrodes, the overall water electrolysis process can be expressed by the chemical equation 2H₂O = power on = 2H₂↑ + O₂↑, that is, every 2 water molecules decompose to generate 2 hydrogen molecules and 1 oxygen molecule under power on conditions. From the perspective of the volume of the generated gas, the theoretical volume ratio of hydrogen and oxygen is 2:1, which can also be verified by collecting gas and comparing its volume during the water electrolysis experiment.
Basis for writing equations
- Follow the law of conservation of mass: the types and numbers of atoms on both sides of the equation must be equal. In the equation for electrolysis of water, there are 2 water molecules on the left, containing 4 hydrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms, and the 2 hydrogen molecules on the right contain 4 hydrogen atoms, and 1 oxygen molecule contains 2 oxygen atoms. The types and numbers of atoms on both sides are exactly the same, which meets the requirements of the law of conservation of mass.
- Reflect objective facts: It truthfully reflects the actual situation that in the chemical reaction of electrolysis of water, the reactant is water, and under the condition of electricity, the two products of hydrogen and oxygen are indeed generated.
In addition, based on this basic equation for electrolysis of water, we can also perform some related chemical calculations, such as knowing the mass, volume and other data of the generated hydrogen or oxygen, and calculating the corresponding amount of another gas through the stoichiometric relationship, or calculating the amount of water involved in the reaction, etc. This has important applications in fields such as chemical quantitative analysis.
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About Cheersonic
Cheersonic is the leading developer and manufacturer of ultrasonic coating systems for applying precise, thin film coatings to protect, strengthen or smooth surfaces on parts and components for the microelectronics/electronics, alternative energy, medical and industrial markets, including specialized glass applications in construction and automotive.
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