electrolytic vs galvanic

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
The cathode is always the site of the reduction reaction, which means that the electrons flow in that direction from the anode. Remember, "reduction is gaining' electrons. At first this is counterintuitive because we think of electrons as having a negative charge and label the cathode as positive. The reason for this is that the basics of voltage and current were observed through experimental chemistry before much was known about electronic charge.

To sort this out, just write out each half reaction for the full cell. The side that the reduction half occurs on is always the cathode.
 
Last edited:

Attachments

  • Screen Shot 2017-07-05 at 8.29.30 PM.png
    Screen Shot 2017-07-05 at 8.29.30 PM.png
    271.8 KB · Views: 74
and this

i know i got them right, just not 100% sure
 

Attachments

  • Screen Shot 2017-07-05 at 9.14.57 PM.png
    Screen Shot 2017-07-05 at 9.14.57 PM.png
    266.6 KB · Views: 71
Top