Question

What is the Electrolysis of Brine Called?

Answer 1

Hint: We know that the process name reveals itself the products it forms. This is an electrolysis process where the chlorine and alkali i.e. sodium hydroxide are produced. Brine solution refers to the high concentration of salt $\left(NaCl\right)$ in water $\left(H_{2}O\right).$ Electrolysis is the process in which ionic substances are broken into simpler substances when an electric current is passed through it.

Complete answer:
Electrolysis is where ionic compounds are separated to form simple compounds. Electrolysis works only if the compound contains ions. Covalent compounds cannot behave as electrolytes because they contain natural atoms in it, these atoms are joined together by covalent bonds rather than ionic bonds. The positively charged anode attracts the negative hydroxide ions (from water) and chloride ions from sodium chloride towards itself. The chloride ion only is discharged in significant quantities during the process which means that it is preferentially oxidized to chlorine. The electrolysis of the brine solution i.e. the solution of sodium chloride and water is a large-scale process which is used in the manufacturing of chlorine from water.
The two most important chemicals which are obtained during the process of electrolysis of brine solution are sodium hydroxide and hydrogen. The chlorine and sodium hydroxide which are produced during the process must be separated before they react with each other and form another compound. Brine, salt water, particularly a highly concentrated solution of common salt for water (sodium chloride). Natural brines are found underground, in salt lakes or as saltwater, and are commercially valuable sources of common salts and other salts, such as magnesium and potassium chlorides and sulphates. The covalent compounds cannot behave as an electrolyte because they do not contain charged ions; they contain neutral atoms in it which are joined together by a covalent bond i.e. the bond which is formed by sharing of electrons.

Note:
Remember that electrolysis is where the ionic compounds are separated from the simple compounds. The process of electrolysis only works when the compound contains ions. This means that covalent compounds cannot be separated by using the process of electrolysis.