Photo AI

Water, acidified with sulfuric acid, is decomposed by electrolysis - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry Combined Science - Question 6 - 2019 - Paper 1

Question icon

Question 6

Water,-acidified-with-sulfuric-acid,-is-decomposed-by-electrolysis-Edexcel-GCSE Chemistry Combined Science-Question 6-2019-Paper 1.png

Water, acidified with sulfuric acid, is decomposed by electrolysis. The water is decomposed to produce hydrogen and oxygen. (i) A sample of hydrogen is mixed with a... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Water, acidified with sulfuric acid, is decomposed by electrolysis - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry Combined Science - Question 6 - 2019 - Paper 1

Step 1

State what would happen.

96%

114 rated

Answer

When hydrogen is ignited in the presence of air, it reacts with oxygen to produce water vapor. This reaction is highly exothermic and would lead to an explosion, accompanied by a loud bang and a flash of light.

Step 2

Describe, using the data in Figure 6, what the results show about the volumes of hydrogen and of oxygen produced in this experiment.

99%

104 rated

Answer

The data from Figure 6 indicates that the volume of hydrogen produced increases steadily over time, while the volume of oxygen produced increases at a slower rate. The results suggest that the ratio of hydrogen to oxygen produced is approximately 2:1, aligning with the stoichiometry of the water decomposition reaction (2H₂O → 2H₂ + O₂). This implies that for every 2 volumes of hydrogen produced, 1 volume of oxygen is created.

Step 3

The products of this electrolysis are:

96%

101 rated

Answer

C lead and bromine.

Step 4

Explain, in terms of solubility and movement of ions, this difference in behaviour.

98%

120 rated

Answer

Calcium nitrate is soluble in water, dissociating into calcium ions (Ca²⁺) and nitrate ions (NO₃⁻), allowing it to conduct electricity. In contrast, calcium carbonate is not soluble in water, meaning it does not dissociate into ions and thus cannot conduct electricity. The movement of ions is essential for electrolysis, which is why calcium nitrate behaves as an electrolyte, while calcium carbonate does not.

Step 5

Explain all three observations.

97%

117 rated

Answer

  1. The sizes of both the anode and the cathode change because copper ions from the anode dissolve into the electrolyte and deposit onto the cathode, causing the anode to decrease in size and the cathode to increase.

  2. A solid appears directly beneath the anode due to the plating of impurities that do not dissolve, collecting as a solid residue.

  3. The colour of the copper sulfate solution remains unchanged because the concentration of copper ions in the solution is maintained; as copper dissolves from the anode, it is immediately redeposited onto the cathode.

Join the GCSE students using SimpleStudy...

97% of Students

Report Improved Results

98% of Students

Recommend to friends

100,000+

Students Supported

1 Million+

Questions answered

;