Electrolysis of aqueous solutions

• the atoms formed when performing electrolysis on an aqueous solution depend on the reactivity of the elements involved.
• In aqueous solution, hydrogen is produced at the negative electrode unless the element is less reactive than hydrogen.
• In aqueous solution, oxygen is produced at the positive electrode unless there is a group 7 element present.
• This happens because in the aqueous solution water molecules break down producing H+ ions and OH- ions.