Question

What is produced at each electrode in the electrolysis of agf(aq)?

Answer 1

AgF consists of Ag+ and F- ions, which are fully dissociated in aqueous solution. When solving electrolysis problems, it is important to remember that water itself may also be a subject to electrolysis. Therefore, determining which species is oxidized and which species is reduced depends on selecting the processes that are the most energetically favorable. The most preferred reduction reaction will be  Ag+ + e- = Ag (Emf=0.7996 V) which will occur at the cathode, on the other hand, the most favorable oxidation reaction will be
2H2O = O2 +4H+ + 4e- (Emf = -1.3 V) that will occur at the anode. Thus, the product at the anode is oxygen gas and at the cathode electrode is silver metal.