Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Fused NaCl Electrolysis - White smoke

m1tanker78 - 31-1-2011 at 03:44

What is the dense white smoke that is evolved during electrolysis of fused NaCl? I've read that it's sodium peroxide/oxide and read elsewhere that it's just NaCl. I collected some and bubbled it through water thinking I'd have a dilute NaOH solution but the pH is neutral. So is it just saline?

Tom

The WiZard is In - 31-1-2011 at 11:14

Quote: Originally posted by m1tanker78  
What is the dense white smoke that is evolved during electrolysis of fused NaCl? I've read that it's sodium peroxide/oxide and read elsewhere that it's just NaCl. I collected some and bubbled it through water thinking I'd have a dilute NaOH solution but the pH is neutral. So is it just saline?
Tom



Well.... like the yellow stuff in chicken shit ... yellow chicken shit...
perhaps it's sodium chloride vapour. Nothing a little silver nitrate
couldn't reveal.

[Edited on 31-1-2011 by The WiZard is In]