What will be the initial product formed at the CATHODE of an

What will be the initial product formed at the CATHODE of an electrolytic cell containing aqueous 1.0 M PbCl 2 ? and Why?

Solution

In an aqueous solution the PbCl₂ will dissociate like

PbCl₂ ===== Pb⁺² + 2Cl^-

In the cathode a reduction reaction will take place, remember that a reduction reaction is the one where there is a gain of electrons so

at the cathode the reaction will be

Pb⁺²+ 2e^- ==== Pb(s) ...... reduction reaction at the cathode

The product at the cathode will be Pb(s)

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