Given the balanced equation representing a reaction occurring in an electrolytic cell:
2NaCl(l)==> 2Na(l) + Cl2(g)
Where is Na(l) produced in the cell?
(1) at the anode, where oxidation occurs
(2) at the anode, where reduction occurs
(3) at the cathode, where oxidation occurs
(4) at the cathode, where reduction occurs

The answer is (4) at the cathode, where reduction occurs. The Na+ gains one electron and become Na(l). So the reaction occurs at cathode and is reduction reaction.

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BarrettArcher BarrettArcher · Answer 2 · 2019-05-13T04:31:45-04:00

Answer : The correct option is, (4) at the cathode, where reduction occurs

Explanation :

Electrolytic cell : It is the cell in which the chemical reaction occurs by passing of the current from external source.

In this electrolytic cell, the oxidation occurs at anode that is a positive electrode and reduction occurs at cathode that is a negative electrode.

The given balanced chemical reaction is,

[tex]2NaCl(l)\rightarrow 2Na(l)+Cl_2(g)[/tex]

On passing electricity in the molten NaCl, Na and chlorine gas are obtained at cathode and anode respectively.

The half-cell reaction are :

At cathode : [tex]2Na^+2e^-\rightarrow 2Na[/tex] (Reduction)

At anode : [tex]2Cl^-\rightarrow Cl_2+2e^-[/tex] (Oxidation)

Hence, from this we conclude that, Na(l) produced in the cell at the cathode, where reduction occurs.