Principle: In
an electrolytic solution where electrolyte dissolves a
solution and the electrodes which are the current source are immersed into
the electrolytic solution. Then the Cation of the electrolyte gets
attracted to the cathode and anions to the anode.
When electricity is passed through sodium chloride solution, the sodium
ions and the chloride ions can separate from one another somewhat, and they are
free to move throughout the liquid. Electrolysis of sodium chloride is carried
out in an electrolytic cell.
The following equation represents the breaking apart of
NaCl:
2NaCl(l) → 2Na(l) + Cl2(g)
The half-reactions involved in this process are:
Reduction: 2Na+(l) + 2e- → Na(s)
Oxidation: 2Cl-(l) → Cl2 (g) + 2e-
On passing electricity, sodium ions are attracted near cathode. And chloride ions are attracted towards anode, chlorine gas gets evolved here.