A dilute aqueous solution of sodium fluoride is electrolyzed, the products at the and cathode are

Options

A. `O_(2),H_(2)`
B. `F_(2),Na`
C. `O_(2),Na`
D. `F_(2),H_(2)`

Explanation

To determine the products formed at the anode and cathode during the electrolysis of a dilute aqueous solution of sodium fluoride (NaF), we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Components in the Solution**:
- When sodium fluoride (NaF) is dissolved in water, it dissociates into sodium ions (Na⁺) and fluoride ions (F⁻). Additionally, water (H₂O) dissociates into hydrogen ions (H⁺) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻).
- Therefore, the relevant species in the solution are Na⁺, F⁻, H⁺, and OH⁻.

2. **Determine Reactions at the Anode**:
- At the anode, oxidation occurs. The possible oxidation reactions are:
- Oxidation of fluoride ions (F⁻) to form fluorine gas (F₂).
- Oxidation of water (H₂O) to form oxygen gas (O₂).
- The half-reaction for the oxidation of water is:
\[ 2H_2O \rightarrow O_2 + 4H^+ + 4e^- \]
- The half-reaction for the oxidation of fluoride is:
\[ 2F^- \rightarrow F_2 + 2e^- \]
- To determine which reaction will occur, we compare their standard electrode potentials. The oxidation potential of water is higher than that of fluoride ions, meaning water will be oxidized.

3. **Conclusion for the Anode**:
- Therefore, at the anode, oxygen gas (O₂) is produced.

4. **Determine Reactions at the Cathode**:
- At the cathode, reduction occurs. The possible reduction reactions are:
- Reduction of sodium ions (Na⁺) to form sodium metal (Na).
- Reduction of hydrogen ions (H⁺) to form hydrogen gas (H₂).
- The half-reaction for the reduction of hydrogen ions is:
\[ 2H^+ + 2e^- \rightarrow H_2 \]
- The half-reaction for the reduction of sodium ions is:
\[ Na^+ + e^- \rightarrow Na \]
- Again, we compare their standard electrode potentials. The reduction potential for hydrogen ions is higher than that for sodium ions, indicating that hydrogen ions will be reduced.

5. **Conclusion for the Cathode**:
- Therefore, at the cathode, hydrogen gas (H₂) is produced.

### Final Answer:
- The products formed during the electrolysis of a dilute aqueous solution of sodium fluoride are:
- **At the Anode**: Oxygen gas (O₂)
- **At the Cathode**: Hydrogen gas (H₂)