During the electrolysis of water in alkaline solution, which gas is produced at the anode?

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Multiple Choice

During the electrolysis of water in alkaline solution, which gas is produced at the anode?

Explanation:
When electricity drives the reaction, oxidation happens at the anode and reduction at the cathode. In alkaline water, there are lots of hydroxide ions (OH−). At the anode, these OH− ions lose electrons (are oxidized) to form oxygen gas and water: 4 OH− → O2 + 2 H2O + 4 e−. So oxygen is produced at the anode. At the cathode, water is reduced to produce hydrogen gas: 2 H2O + 2 e− → H2 + 2 OH−. The other gases listed aren’t formed here because there isn’t chloride or nitrogen-containing species, and hydrogen is produced at the cathode, not the anode.

When electricity drives the reaction, oxidation happens at the anode and reduction at the cathode. In alkaline water, there are lots of hydroxide ions (OH−). At the anode, these OH− ions lose electrons (are oxidized) to form oxygen gas and water: 4 OH− → O2 + 2 H2O + 4 e−. So oxygen is produced at the anode. At the cathode, water is reduced to produce hydrogen gas: 2 H2O + 2 e− → H2 + 2 OH−. The other gases listed aren’t formed here because there isn’t chloride or nitrogen-containing species, and hydrogen is produced at the cathode, not the anode.

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