Electrolysis of salt solution is due to the formation of:

The electrolysis of a salt solution is due to the formation of ions. Here's a step-by-step explanation:

1. When salt (sodium chloride) is dissolved in water, it dissociates into its component ions: sodium ions (Na+) and chloride ions (Cl-).

2. In the process of electrolysis, an electric current is passed through the salt solution.

3. The positive sodium ions (Na+) are attracted to the negative electrode (cathode), and the negative chloride ions (Cl-) are attracted to the positive electrode (anode).

4. At the anode, chloride ions lose electrons (are oxidized) to form chlorine gas. This is represented by the half-reaction: 2Cl- -> Cl2 + 2e-

5. At the cathode, sodium ions gain electrons (are reduced) to form sodium metal. However, in aqueous solution, water is reduced instead of sodium ion, producing hydrogen gas and hydroxide ion. This is represented by the half-reaction: 2H2O + 2e- -> H2 + 2OH-

6. Therefore, the electrolysis of a salt solution results in the formation of chlorine gas at the anode and hydrogen gas at the cathode. The solution becomes more basic due to the formation of hydroxide ions.