This is electrolysis reaction in water. This is one experimental method of showing water is a compound composed of the elements hydrogen and oxygen atoms i.e. by splitting liquid water into two gaseous element molecules of hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2). Water only ionises to a tiny extent giving minute concentrations of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions, so the presence of high concentrations of hydrogen ions (H+ or H3O+) andsulfate ions (SO42–) from the acid, makes water a much better electrical conductor (a much better electrolyte solution). These small extra ion concentrations of hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxide ions (OH–) are from the self-ionisation of water itself Open in App 4 |