A membrane cell is where the electrolysis of sodium hydroxide can be carried out. The products of the electrolysis of sodium chloride are chlorine, sodium hydroxide and hydrogen.

... A membrane cell is where the electrolysis of sodium hydroxide can be carried out. The products of the electrolysis of sodium chloride are chlorine, sodium hydroxide and hydrogen. 2Na+(aq) + 2Cl- (aq) = 2Na+(aq) + Cl2 (g) + 2e- The Chlorine is collected at the positive electrode called the anode. In the reaction the Na+ ions acts an as a spectator. 2Cl- (aq) = Cl2 (g) + 2e- The half equation of what happens at the anode tells us that the chlorine ions have been oxidised. (1) The hydrogen and the hydroxide ions are gathered at the negative electrode, which is better known as the cathode. 2Na+(aq) + 2H2O(l) + 2e- = H2 (g) + 2OH-(aq) The half equation shows us that the water molecules from the hydrogen and the hydroxide ions have been reduced as they have gained electrons. (1) 2H2O(l) + 2e- = H2 (g) + 2OH-(aq) This is known as a Redox reaction because its composed of

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