Seperating Na+ from Cl-?

[minimoman]

If one were to make a solution of NaCl and water, would it be possible to seperate the Na+ and Cl-? I would like to then see if i could somehow run the Na+ through an electric coil to make electricity, and the same with the Cl-. I am thinking this might work becuase if you put a magnet through a wire coil, it makes electricity. Possibly, instead of a magnet, i could use the charges of the Na+ and Cl- to make electricity. I first just need to know if i can seperate the Na+Cl- using magnets.

[elementcollector1]

Are you saying you would like to electrolyze the salt solution to produce sodium metal and chlorine gas? If so, this is impossible. You will make NaOH, Cl2, and H2.

If you're trying to make electricity from the solution, you can make a galvanic cell to that effect.

[minimoman]

Yes, but would the Cl2 or the NaOH or the H2 had any charges whatsoever? Or would they all just be nuetral?

[Horza2002]

Cl2 and H2 are both neutral gases. NaOH is an ionic solid and is made up of Na+ and HO-. In solution the two ions will have dissociated from each other and posses solvation shells around them. Essentially all that will happen is that you will now be trying to seperate Na and OH ions instead of Na and Cl ions.