Chapter 21, Problem 13STP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: In the given electrolytic cell, the anode, cathode, and direction of electron flow need to be shown.

Concept Introduction: In electrochemistry, the relationship between electrical potential differences and potential differences due to chemical change is explained. The two types of cells that can be studied in electrochemistry are electrolytic cells and voltaic cells. In an electrolytic cell, redox reactions are produced with the help of current. Here, electrical energy is converted into chemical energy.

Explanation of Solution

In an electrolytic cell, a redox reaction (non-spontaneous) converts electric energy to chemical energy. The two electrodes are the anode and cathode. Here, at the anode, oxidation takes place and at the cathode, reduction takes place.

In an electrolytic cell, the anode is the positive electrode and the cathode is the negative. Thus, anode and cathode electrodes can be labeled in the given electrolytic cell as follows:

  

Now, the flow of electrons takes place from anode to cathode as electrons are lost by metal at the anode and gained by metal at the cathode. Therefore, the flow of electrons is represented from the positive electrode to the negative electrode as follows: