Electrolysis of water is the decomposition of water (H2O) into oxygen
(O2) and hydrogen gas (H2) due to an electric current being passed
through the water.
This technique can be used to make hydrogen fuel (hydrogen gas) and breathable oxygen;
Two leads, running from the terminals of a battery, are placed in a cup
of water with a quantity of electrolyte to establish conductivity in
the solution. Using NaCl (table salt) in an electrolyte solution results
in chlorine gas rather than oxygen due
to a competing half-reaction. With the correct electrodes and correct
electrolyte, such as baking soda, hydrogen and oxygen gases will stream
from the oppositely charged electrodes.
Sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda,[3][4] or lye, is an
inorganic compound with the chemical formula NaOH. It is a white solid
and highly caustic metallic base and alkali salt which is available in
pellets, flakes, granules, and as prepared solutions at a number of
different concentrations.[7] Sodium hydroxide forms an approximately 50%
(by weight) saturated solution with water.[8]
Sodium hydroxide is
used in many scenarios where it is desirable to increase the alkalinity
of a mixture, or to neutralize acids.
Strong acids such as sulfuric
acid (H2SO4), and strong bases such as potassium hydroxide (KOH), and
sodium hydroxide (NaOH) are frequently used as electrolytes due to their
strong conducting abilities.
Hydrogen chloride is a diatomic
molecule, consisting of a hydrogen atom H and a chlorine atom Cl
connected by a covalent single bond. Since the chlorine atom is much
more electronegative than the hydrogen atom, the covalent bond between
the two atoms is quite polar. Consequently, the molecule has a large
dipole moment with a negative partial charge δ– at the chlorine atom and
a positive partial charge δ+ at the hydrogen atom. In part because of
its high polarity, HCl is very soluble in water (and in other polar
solvents).
Upon contact, H2O and HCl combine to form hydronium
cations H3O+ and chloride anions Cl– through a reversible chemical
reaction:
HCl + H2O → H3O+ + Cl–
The resulting
solution is called hydrochloric acid and is a strong acid. The acid
dissociation or ionization constant, Ka, is large, which means HCl
dissociates or ionizes practically completely in water. Even in the
absence of water, hydrogen chloride can still act as an acid. For
example, hydrogen chloride can dissolve in certain other solvents such
as methanol, protonate molecules or ions, and serve as an acid-catalyst
for chemical reactions where anhydrous (water-free) conditions are
desired.
salt + water + electricity = Sodium Hydroxide (Lye) and Hydrogen Chloride gas
Hydrogen Chloride gas + water = Hydrochloric Acid