Answer to Question #171316 in General Chemistry for mike

Question

In an electrolytic cell:

a) What is the energy conversion that occurs?

b) What reaction is at the anode? Explain what is happening in terms of electrons.

c) What reaction is at the cathode? Explain what is happening in terms of electrons.

d) Compare the charges of the cathode and anode in galvanic and electrolytic cells:

Answer 1

a) A Galvanic cell converts chemical energy into electrical energy. An electrolytic cell converts electrical energy into chemical energy.

b)The reaction at the anode is oxidation and that at the cathode is reduction. The electrons are supplied by the species getting oxidized.

c) The cathode supplies electrons to the positively charged cations which flow to it from the electrolyte;when the cathode is positive and therefore would be expected to repel the positively charged cations.

d) For a galvanic cell, anode holds the negative polarity whereas cathode acts as a positive terminal.An anode in electrolytic cell attracts anions. A cathode in electrolytic cell attracts cation.