CATEGORY A

EXPERIMENT 6.5:
TO INVESTIGATE THE EFFECT OF CONCENTRATION OF IONS ON THE
SELECTIVE DISCHARGE OF IONS AT THE ELECTRODES

You have learnt that the ion that is lower in the electrochemical series will be preferentially
discharged. However, in the electrolysis of dilute hydrochloric acid, HCl, the selective discharge
of ions does not necessarily depend on the position of ions in the electrochemical series. The
concentration of ions may affect the selective discharge.

Gas Gas

elektrolit

Carry out one experiment to investigate the effect of concentration of ions on the selective
discharge of ions at the electrodes.
Your report must include the following:
 Title
 Aim
 Problem statement
 Variables :
i. Manipulated variable
ii. Responding variable
iii. Fixed variable
 Hypothesis
 Apparatus and materials
 Diaghram
 Procedure
 Result of experiment
 Analysis and interpreting data
 Conclusion
In your report, use the following questions as discussions.
1. What products are formed at the anode during electrolysis of
(a) 1.0 dm-3 hydrochloric acid, HCl
(b) 0.001 dm-3 hydrochloric acid, HCl

2. Write half equations to show how the products are formed at the anode during
electrolysis of
(a) 1.0 mol dm-3 hydrochloric acid, HCl
(b) 0.001 dm-3 hydrochloric acid, HCl

3. Explain the differences in the products formed during the electrolysis of

hydrochloric acid, HCl.

4. State precaution steps in this experiment

Score Reference

Aim __ / 1 Hypothesis __ / 1 Variables __ / 3 Apparatus __ /1

and
Materials
Diagram __ /1 Procedure __ / 3 Results __ / 2 Analysis and __ / 3
Interpreting
Data
Precaution __ / 1 Conclusion __ / 1 Manipulative __ / 2 Noble __ / 1
steps Skills Values

Total Marks _______ / 20

Experiment report has to be submitted on _________________

 MARKING SCHEME
EXPERIMENT 6.5:
TO INVESTIGATE THE EFFECT OF CONCENTRATION OF IONS ON THE
SELECTIVE DISCHARGE OF IONS AT THE ELECTRODES

Title The effect of concentration of ions on the selective discharge of

ions at the electrodes
Aim To investigate the effect of concentration of ions on the selective 1
discharge of ions at the electrodes
Problem statement How does the concentration of ions on the selective discharge of
ions at the anode
Variables :
Manipulated Concentration of chloride ion 1
variable
Responding Ion discharged 1
variable
Fixed variable Type of electrolyte / type of electrode /duration of electrolysis 1

Hypothesis When the concentration of chloride ion, Cl- is higher, then the 1
chloride ion, Cl- will be preferentially discharged
Apparatus and Batteries, carbon electrodes, connecting wires with crocodile 1
materials clips, ammeter, electrolytic cell, test tubes, blue litmus paper and
splinter.

1.0 dm-3 hydrochloric acid, HCl and 0.001 dm-3 hydrochloric

acid, HCl
Diagram
Gas Gas

1.0 mol dm-3 HCl

1

Procedure 1. Fill the electrolytic cell with 1.0 dm-3 hydrochloric acid,
HCl until it is half full.
2. Complete the circuit by connecting carbon electrodes,
switch, ammeter and battery using connecting wire.
3. Turn on the switch 1
4. Collect the gas produced at the anode. Test with moist
blue litmus paper and a glowing splinter.
5. Record your observations 1
6. Repeat steps 1-5 using 0.001 dm-3 hydrochloric acid, 1
HCl
Result
Electrolyte Observation
-3
1.0 dm hydrochloric acid, Greenish yellow gas 1
HCl released
Gas released turn moist
blue litmus paper to red
and bleached it.
-3
0.001 dm hydrochloric Colourless gas bubbles 1
acid, HCl released
Gas released light up
glowing wooden splinter
Moist blue litmus paper
not change

Analysis and 1. a) Chlorine gas 1

interpreting data b) Oxygen gas
2. a) 2Cl- Cl2 + 2e 1
b) 4OH- 2H2O + O2 + 4e
3. Concentration of ion chloride in 1.0 dm-3 1
hydrochloric acid, HCl is higher than concentration
of ion hydroxide. Ion chloride is selectively to
discharged at anode.

Concentration of ion hydroxide in 0.001 dm-3

hydrochloric acid, HCl is higher than concentration
of ion chloride. Ion hydroxide is selectively to
discharged at anode
4. Do not inhale poisonous chlorine gas 1
Conclusion Ions with higher concentration will selectively to discharged at 1
anode.