ENGLISH FOR CHEMISTRY

LABORATORY RESEARCH REPORT

ELECTROLYSIS
Lecturer : Ratna Azizah Mashami, M.Pd.

BY :

IKA SUYANTI
14.231.010

CHEMISTRY EDUCATION PROGRAM

FACULTY OF MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE EDUCATION

INSTITUT KEGURUAN DAN ILMU PENDIDIKAN (IKIP)

MATARAM

2017
 ELECTROLYSIS

A. Purpose
To observe the reaction that occurs in anode and cathode in the reaction of
electrolysis salt solution.
B. Tools and Materials
1. Tools
Power supply
Beaker
Cable with end clamp 2 pieces
Carbon Electrode
2. Materials
Copper plate (Cu)
Red litmus paper
Solution of sodium chloride (NaCl) 1 M
C. Instruction
1. Pour solution NaCl of 1 M into the beaker
2. Fit a copper plate as cathode in a way connectedwith the negative pole of
the power supply
3. Install a carbon electrode as the anode in a way connected with the
positive pole of a power supply
4. Put the red litmus paper in the cathode
5. Turn on the power supply and adjust the voltage at position 12 Volt
6. Observe and note the changes that occur in the beaker and color changing
of litmus paper
D. Observation Result
1. Before the power supply is turned on
Carbon Electrodes: black colored
Copper Plate: goldcolored
Red litmus paper : red colored
NaCl solution: colorless solution
2. After the power supply is turned on
Incurred bubble around carbon
Litmus paper turns to blue
The copper plates become light green
NaCl solution into a murky green color
E. Discussion
Electrolysis is the decomposition phenomenon of an electrolyte solution
that has been drained by unidirectional electric current. In this experiment, use
 is the electrolyte solution of NaCl. In the electrolysis cell, the electrical energy
will be converted into chemical energy.
Electrode receives electrons from the external electrical current source
called the cathode, while the electrons drain electrodes back to the source of
electric current outside the so called anodes. The cathode is a reduction
reaction and the anode is where oxidation reactions occurred. The cathode is
the negative electrode for capturing electrons while the anode is the positive
electrode for removing electrons.
Based on the experiments have been conducted to prove that the reaction
in the cathode is a reduction reaction, namely:
Na+(aq) + e Na(aq) Eored = -2.71 V
2H2O(l) + 2e 2OH-(aq) + H2(g) Eored = -0.83 V
At the cathode, there is competition between water with Na + ions. Based
on Standard Reduction Potential Table, Ered water has a larger than Na+ ions.
This mean, the water more easily reducible than Na+ ions. Therefore, reduction
that react at the cathode is water.
While the reaction occurs at the anode is the oxidation reaction:
2Cl-(aq) Cl2(g) + 2e Eoox = -1.36 V
2H2O(l) O2 + 4H+ + 2e Eoox = -1.23 V
-
Eox water has a larger than Cl ions. But, the oxidation of water require
additional potential (overvoltage), until the oxidation of Cl- ions more easily
than water oxidation. Therefore, liquid that reacts at the anode is Cl - ions.
Thus, the reaction in the electrolysis of NaCl salt solution is as follows:
Anode : 2H2O(l) + 2e 2OH-(aq) + H2(g)
Cathode : 2Cl-(aq) Cl2(g) + 2e
Cell reaction : 2H2O(l) + 2Cl-(aq) 2OH-(aq) + H2(g) + Cl2(g)
At the cathode copper in the color changes from golden yellow to green
light, it is because there are cathode alkaline OH- and litmus paper turn blue.
In the carbon electrode, the anode gas appears bubbles. Appearing on the
anode gas is Cl2 gas.
F. Conslusion
Based on this practice of electrolysis, proving that the electrolyte solution
of NaCl which experienced a reduction reaction at the cathode is water (H 2O)
and those with an oxidation reaction at the anode is Cl- ions.