During the electrolysis of aqueous silver nitrate between inert electrodes, the reaction at the anode is

Ag^+ + e^- \rightarrow Ag

2H^+ + 2e^- \rightarrow H_2

2NO_3^- \rightarrow 2NO_2 + O_2 + 2e^-

2H_2O \rightarrow O_2 + 4H^+ + 4e^-

Explanation: Water is oxidised in preference to the nitrate ion, so oxygen is evolved at the anode.

Derived from ZIMSEC Chemistry Paper 2, November 2002, Q3

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