Electrolysis of Brine: Why Does Castner-Kellner Cell Produce Na?

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SUMMARY

The Castner-Kellner cell produces sodium (Na) through the electrolysis of brine, but the sodium formed is not in its elemental form; instead, it exists as sodium amalgam. This amalgam is a solution of sodium in mercury, which prevents direct contact with water, thus avoiding the violent reaction typically associated with elemental sodium. The experiment conducted using a 12V car battery confirmed that no visible sodium was produced, aligning with the understanding that sodium ions are too stable to be reduced directly in aqueous solution.

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Electrolysis of Brine...

Why does castner-kellner cell produces Na. I was always told that Na formed too stable an ion to be reduced when it is in aqueous solution even when the solution is concentrated. I myself have carried out this experiment by elecrolysing concentrated aq. Sodium Chloride(Brine) by using a 12V car battery. I could not see any Na formed. If it had formed, I know that it would have reacted with water but if that's the case why couldn't I notice the reaction since Na reacts violently with water?
Thanks on advance for any help...
 
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Not sodium is formed, but sodium amalgam, which reacts with water to produce sodium hydroxide. In amalgam sodium is dissolved in mercury so it is not in a direct contact with water.
 

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