Question

Which one of the following scientists showed that if electrodes are immersed in water and a current was passed, bubbles of oxygen and hydrogen were produced?
A. William Thomson
B. William Nicholson
C. William Watson
D. William Harvey

Answer 1

Hint:Before answering the question let us first get some idea about electrodes. An electrode is a solid electric conductor that conducts electricity through non-metallic solids, liquids, gases, plasmas, and vacuums. At the electrodes of an electrochemical cell, reduction and oxidation reactions occur. The cathode is the electrode where the reduction takes place.

Complete answer:
Bubbles of oxygen and hydrogen are formed when electrodes are submerged in water and current is passed through it. At the electrode connected to the positive terminal, oxygen bubbles form. At the electrode connected to the negative terminal, hydrogen bubbles form.When electrodes are submerged in water and a current is passed through them, oxygen and hydrogen bubbles are formed, according to William Nicholson.

So, option B is correct.

Additional Information: Water decomposes into hydrogen and oxygen gas when an electric current is passed through it. ${H^ + }$ ions and \[O{H^ - }\] ions separate from water. Positive \[{H^ + }\]ions will travel towards the cathode, which is the negative terminal, while OH- ions will move towards the anode.

Note: Let’s see why current does not flow in water. Since they include a large number of "free" electrons, metals conduct electricity. These free electrons remain even when there is no current, and they do not need to be pumped or sent into the metal. There are no free electrons in water.