Question

Consider the electrolysis of molten barium chloride (bacl2). write the half-reactions. include the states of each species.

Answer 1

Molten barium chloride is separeted into two species :
BaCl₂(l) → Ba(l) + Cl₂(g),
but first ionic bonds in this salt are separeted because of heat:
BaCl₂(l) → Ba²⁺(l) + 2Cl⁻(l).

Reaction of reduction at cathode(-): Ba²⁺(l) + 2e⁻ → Ba(l).

Reaction of oxidation at anode(+): 2Cl⁻(l) → Cl₂(g) + 2e⁻.

The anode is positive and the cathode is negative.