Sodium acetate is electrolysed with water `(H_2O)`. The product formed at cathode is

Options

A. `CH_4`
B. `CO_2`
C. `H_2`
D. NaOH

Answer

To determine the product formed at the cathode during the electrolysis of sodium acetate (CH₃COONa) with water, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Electrolysis Process
Electrolysis involves the decomposition of a compound into its elements or simpler compounds using electricity. In this case, we are electrolyzing sodium acetate in an aqueous solution.

### Step 2: Identify the Components
Sodium acetate dissociates in water to give sodium ions (Na⁺) and acetate ions (CH₃COO⁻):
\[ \text{CH}_3\text{COONa} \rightarrow \text{Na}^+ + \text{CH}_3\text{COO}^- \]

### Step 3: Determine the Reactions at the Electrodes
During electrolysis, oxidation occurs at the anode and reduction occurs at the cathode.

- **At the Anode:** The acetate ion (CH₃COO⁻) can undergo oxidation. The possible products include carbon dioxide (CO₂) and ethane (C₂H₆), among others.

- **At the Cathode:** The reduction reaction typically involves the reduction of water or the cation present. In this case, the sodium ion (Na⁺) is not reduced because it is a strong reducing agent. Instead, water is reduced to form hydrogen gas (H₂).

### Step 4: Write the Cathode Reaction
The reduction of water at the cathode can be represented as:
\[ 2H_2O + 2e^- \rightarrow H_2 + 2OH^- \]

### Step 5: Conclusion
The product formed at the cathode during the electrolysis of sodium acetate with water is hydrogen gas (H₂).

### Final Answer
The product formed at the cathode is **H₂ (hydrogen gas)**.

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