21 The diagram shows the electrolysis of molten sodium chloride, NaCl. Which is correct? A oxidation occurs at electrode X and the equation is: 2Cl^-arrow Cl_(2)+2e^- B oxidation occurs at electrode Y and the equation is: Na^++e^-arrow Na C reduction occurs at electrode X and the equation is: Na^++e^-arrow Na D reduction occurs at electrode Y and the equation is: 2Cl^-arrow Cl_(2)+2e^-

# ExplanationIn the process of electrolysis, oxidation occurs at the anode (positive electrode), and reduction occurs at the cathode (negative electrode). Oxidation is the loss of electrons, and reduction is the gain of electrons. Given the electrolysis of molten sodium chloride ( ), we have two ions present: sodium ions ( ) and chloride ions ( ).- At the anode, chloride ions ( ) lose electrons to form chlorine gas ( ). This process is an oxidation reaction because electrons are lost. The correct half-reaction for this process is .- At the cathode, sodium ions ( ) gain electrons to form sodium metal ( ). This process is a reduction reaction because electrons are gained. The correct half-reaction for this process would be .Option C is incorrect because sodium ions are positively charged ( ), not negatively charged as suggested ( ).Option D is incorrect because it incorrectly states that reduction occurs at electrode with the chloride ions losing electrons, which is actually an oxidation process.Option B is incorrect because it suggests oxidation occurs at electrode for sodium ions, which is actually a reduction process.Therefore, the correct option is:A) Oxidation occurs at electrode and the equation is: .# AnswerA