What actually happens in an electrolytic cell? (1 Viewer)

[enigma_1]

Does the metal anode oxidise into solution?
And then does the ions in solution reduce on the metal cathode?

thanks

 

[strawberrye]

the metal anode usually oxidises into solution-however there are many factors that needs to be considered such as the electrolyte solution , the nature of the anode and cathode material, because your question is so general, and because there are so many possibilities in electrolytic cells, i.e. often multiple possible equations for oxidation and reduction from which you have to choose one from, it is hard to give a definitive answer because it depends on so many factors-perhaps if you give us a specific cell example, it will make it much easier to give you a definitive answer

 

[anomalousdecay]

the metal anode usually oxidises into solution-however there are many factors that needs to be considered such as the electrolyte solution , the nature of the anode and cathode material, because your question is so general, and because there are so many possibilities in electrolytic cells, i.e. often multiple possible equations for oxidation and reduction from which you have to choose one from, it is hard to give a definitive answer because it depends on so many factors-perhaps if you give us a specific cell example, it will make it much easier to give you a definitive answer

Also, if the cathode is dipped in a mixture of an aqueous salt, then a deposit of the metal in the salt will deposit on the cathode.