During the electrolysis of aqueous AgF, what is produced at the cathode and at the anode?

• A. Hydrogen gas is produced at the cathode; oxygen gas is produced at the anode.
• B. Silver metal is deposited at the anode; hydrogen gas is produced at the cathode.
• C. Fluorine gas is produced at the anode; silver metal is deposited at the cathode.
• D. Silver metal is deposited at the cathode; oxygen gas is produced at the anode.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the species present in the aqueous solution of AgF: Ag\textsuperscript{+}, F\textsuperscript{-}, H\textsubscript{2}O molecules, and possibly H\textsuperscript{+} and OH\textsuperscript{-} from water dissociation.
2. At the cathode (reduction site), determine which species will be reduced. Compare the reduction potentials of Ag\textsuperscript{+} and H\textsuperscript{+} (from water). Since silver ion has a higher reduction potential, Ag\textsuperscript{+} will be reduced to silver metal (Ag).
3. Write the cathode half-reaction: $\$\$\mathrm{Ag^{+} + e^{-} \rightarrow Ag (s)}\$\$\$
4. At the anode (oxidation site), determine which species will be oxidized. Fluoride ions (F\textsuperscript{-}) are generally not oxidized easily compared to water. Water is oxidized to oxygen gas (O\textsubscript{2}) and protons.
5. Write the anode half-reaction: $\$\$\mathrm{2 H_{2}O (l) \rightarrow O_{2} (g) + 4 H^{+} + 4 e^{-}}\$\$\$