What happens when warm aqueous Barium hydroxide solution is electrolysed?

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Electrolysis**: Electrolysis is a chemical process that uses electricity to drive a non-spontaneous reaction. In this case, we are electrolyzing warm aqueous barium hydroxide (Ba(OH)₂) solution.

2. **Components of Barium Hydroxide**: Barium hydroxide dissociates in water to form barium ions (Ba²⁺) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻).

3. **Setting Up Electrolysis**: When the barium hydroxide solution is subjected to electrolysis, two electrodes are placed in the solution: a cathode (negative electrode) and an anode (positive electrode).

4. **Reactions at the Cathode**: At the cathode, reduction occurs. The barium ions (Ba²⁺) can react with water to produce barium hydroxide and liberate hydrogen gas (H₂). The half-reaction can be represented as:
\[ \text{Ba}^{2+} + 2\text{H}_2\text{O} + 2e^- \rightarrow \text{Ba(OH)}_2 + \text{H}_2(g) \]
Here, hydrogen gas is released as a product.

5. **Reactions at the Anode**: At the anode, oxidation occurs. The hydroxide ions (OH⁻) lose electrons to form oxygen gas (O₂) and water. The half-reaction can be represented as:
\[ 4\text{OH}^- - 4e^- \rightarrow 2\text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{O}_2(g) \]
Here, oxygen gas is produced.

6. **Overall Reaction**: The overall reaction during the electrolysis of warm aqueous barium hydroxide can be summarized as:
\[ \text{Ba(OH)}_2 \rightarrow \text{H}_2(g) + \text{O}_2(g) \]
This indicates that hydrogen gas is liberated at the cathode and oxygen gas is produced at the anode.

7. **Conclusion**: Therefore, when warm aqueous barium hydroxide solution is electrolyzed, pure hydrogen gas is obtained at the cathode, while oxygen gas is produced at the anode.

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