LIST OF ION DISCHARGE

Ion that Half equation Observation Confirmatory test

selective
discharged
(Electrolysis
of aqueous
electrolyte.)
H+ Gas bubbles are Place a lighted wooden splinter at the
2H+ + 2e H2 released. mouth of the test tube containing the
A colourless gas is gas.
produced. Pop sound is produced
Cu2+ (Condition: If the electrolysis is carried out using carbon electrode)
Brown solid is deposited at the electrode.
Cu2+ + 2e Cu
(Condition: If the electrolysis is carried out using copper electrode)
Copper electrode becomes thicker.

Ag+ (Condition: If the electrolysis is carried out using carbon electrode)

Ag+ + e Ag Grey solid is deposited at the electrode.
(Condition: If the electrolysis is carried out using silver electrode)
Silver electrode becomes thicker.
OH- Gas bubbles are Place a glowing wooden splinter at the
4OH- O2 + 2H2O + 4e mouth of the test tube containing the
released.
A colourless gas is gas.
produced. The glowing splinter relight/ light up/
rekindled.
Cl- Gas bubbles are Place / bring a piece of moist blue
2Cl- Cl2 + 2e released. litmus paper to the mouth of the test
A greenish- yellow tube containing the gas.
gas with a pungent
Blue litmus paper turns red and then
smell is produced.
white/ bleaches.

Br- The colourless Place a piece of moist blue litmus

2Br- Br2 + 2e solution around the paper into the test tube containing
electrode turn brown the brown solution.

Blue litmus paper turns red and then

white/ bleaches.
I- The colourless Drop a few drops of starch solution
2I- I2 + 2e solution around the into a test tube containing the yellow
electrode turn yellow solution.
Starch solution turns blue.

Data table 2
Condition Half equation Observation
If the electrolysis is carried out using Copper electrode becomes
copper electrode as anode and the Cu Cu2+ + 2e thinner.
electrolyte consist of copper (II) ions, Cu2+

If the electrolysis is carried out using silver Silver electrode becomes

electrode as anode and the electrolyte Ag Ag+ + e thinner
consist of silver ions, Ag+