Equilibrium1
Member
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2011
- Messages
- 67
- Gender
- Male
- HSC
- 2012
I am writing about the contribution of Davy for the Shipwrecks, Conservation and Restoration optional module. Davy used electrolysis to decompose molten KOH, which led him to isolate and discover potassium (K). However, I am not quite sure how to represent this using chemical equations.
My friend wrote one set of equations, and I thought about another set... Which of these equations do you think are correct and more suitable to use to explain the reaction?
Set #1:
KOH --> K + O2 + H2
K + O2 --> K2O
Set #2:
KOH --> K+ + OH-
At the cathode: K+ + e- <--> K (2.94 V)
At the anode: 2OH- <--> 1/2O2 + H2O + 2e- (-0.40V)
Alternatively, if both sets of equations are wrong, can you please tell me which are correct?
Thankyou so much! I really appreciate the help - its really bugging me =/
My friend wrote one set of equations, and I thought about another set... Which of these equations do you think are correct and more suitable to use to explain the reaction?
Set #1:
KOH --> K + O2 + H2
K + O2 --> K2O
Set #2:
KOH --> K+ + OH-
At the cathode: K+ + e- <--> K (2.94 V)
At the anode: 2OH- <--> 1/2O2 + H2O + 2e- (-0.40V)
Alternatively, if both sets of equations are wrong, can you please tell me which are correct?
Thankyou so much! I really appreciate the help - its really bugging me =/