Question

Question #0a517

Answer 1

The sulfate ions are merely spectator ions in the process.

Explanation:

During the electrolysis of dilute sulfuric acid, the reactions are:

At the anode: `color(white)(ll)1×["2H"_2"O" → "O"_2 + "4H"^"+" + "4e"^"-"]`
At the cathode: `2×["2H"^"+" + "2e"^"-" → "H"_2]`
Overall: `color(white)(mmmmmm)"2H"_2"O" → "O"_2 + "2H"_2`

You see that the sulfate ions are not involved in the reaction at all.

Their only function is to balance the positive charges on the hydrogen ions, so that the solution stays electrically neutral.