Video Transcript
In electrolysis, what is the name
of the positive electrode in an electrolytic cell?
Electrolysis is a type of process
where an electric current is passed through a liquid or a solution containing ions,
which causes the substances inside to decompose. To perform electrolysis, we can use
an electrolytic cell. An electrolytic cell is an
electrochemical cell that uses electrical energy to drive a nonspontaneous chemical
reaction.
Here’s an example of a typical
electrolytic cell that we might use in a laboratory. The cell consists of two electrodes
that are connected with wires to a power supply, such as a direct current power
source, an electrical cell, or a battery. In electrolysis experiments, the
electrodes are placed into a beaker containing a substance referred to as the
electrolyte. The electrolyte usually contains
ions which carry the current between the electrodes.
When the power supply is turned on,
electrons are able to flow from one electrode to the other. The electrode attached to the
negative terminal of the power supply is the negative electrode, which we call the
cathode. Positive cations in the electrolyte
solution are drawn toward the cathode where they are reduced, gaining electrons to
form neutral atoms or molecules. The electrode attached to the
positive terminal of the power supply is the positive electrode, which we call the
anode. Negative anions in the electrolyte
solution are drawn toward the anode where they are oxidized, losing electrons to
form neutral atoms or molecules.
From this information, we now know
that the name of the positive electrode in an electrolytic cell is the anode.
