Question

Predict the products of electrolysis of an aqueous solution of $ AgN{O_3} $ with platinum electrodes.

Answer 1

Hint : the process of decomposition of an electrolyte by the passage of electricity through its aqueous solution or molten state. The products of electrolysis are actually the substances obtained from the ions of the electrolyte whenever the electrolysis happens in molten state.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
When the electrolyte is carried out in the molten state, the products of electrolysis are actually the substances obtained from the ions of the electrolyte. Each electrode attracts ions that will have a charge which is opposite to it. Positively charged ions are called cations; they move towards the cathode electrode, which is negatively charged. The negatively charged ion that is anion, moves toward anode which is positively charged. On the cathode, oxidation occurs as there is loss of electron and reduction occurs at anode by gain of electron.
An aqueous solution of $ AgN{O_3} $ with platinum electrodes.
At cathode: we have two cations in the solution. One is silver ions and the other is $ {H^ + } $ from aqueous solution. The silver has lower discharge potential than hydrogen ions. Hence silver ions will be preferred over hydrogen ions.
At anode: discharge potential of hydroxide ions is lower and will be discharged in preference to nitrate ions. This hydroxide ions, decomposes and results in release of oxygen with electrons.
. $ 4{\text{O}}{{\text{H}}_{(aq)}} \to 2{H_2}{O_{(l)}}{\text{ + }}{{\text{O}}_2} + 4{e^ - } $

Note :
During the electrolysis of aqueous electrolytic solutions, redox processes become complicated because of the formation of ions from water which also take part in the electrolysis. At each electrode, there are two different ions which can be discharged.