1. Question 11. Hydrolysis of water
Steve Harris
Stevens Point Area Senior High
Advanced Techniques in Biotechnology

2. Power Supply Hydrolysis of Water Cathode Anode Acid Base
AC/DC Converter
Cathode
Anode AC in
DC out e- e- e- e- e-
Hydrolysis of Water e- H2 O2 H2 O2
Acid
Base H2 H2 H2 O2 e- e- e- e- e- H2 H2 O2 H2 H2 O2 e- e- H2 H2 O2 H2
2H O2(g) +4H+(aq) + 4e-
Water is oxidized at the Cathode (+) end.
4H2O + 4e H2(g) + 4OH-(aq)
Water is reduced at the Anode (-) end.
Net Cell Reaction
2H2O(L) H2(g) + O2(g)
Decomposition of water is a redox reaction. In the decomposition reaction, the volume of H2 produced is twice that of O2.