Which outcome occurs when applying external voltage exceeding decomposition potential to an electrolytic cell containing aqueous sodium chloride?

💡 Explanation

When exceeding decomposition potential, electrolysis causes preferential oxidation/reduction dictated by thermodynamics; chloride oxidation has a lower overpotential than water, leading to chlorine gas formation at the anode. Therefore chlorine gas formation predominates, rather than hydrogen which requires specific catalysts, or sodium metal/ions whose potentials are not favored.

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