Formation of Metal on Electrodes

[justadream]

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Does this usually happen only at the cathode?

I also want to confirm: this occurs in both galvanic and electrolytic cells?

 

[dnrs]

Yes it only occurs at the cathode because that's where metal turns from being aqueous to being solid.

It also happens in all cells.

 

[NextStepTutor_1]

For the purposes of the MCAT when we are only taking into consideration the anode and the cathode of an electrolytic or galvanic cell - the answer is yes. Presuming that plating (formation of solid metal onto an electrode) occurs, it would be seen at the cathode because here the metal can be reduced to decrease it's solubility and thus increase it's concentration in the solid state form.

This does occur in both types of cells. Remember the major difference between galvanic and electrolytic cells is that the galvanic cell produces energy (spontaneous redox rxn.) and the electrolytic cell needs/consumes it (nonspontaneous redox rxn.). Both cells undergo the same reactions though (redox), so there exists the ability to plate some metal for both cell types.


Cheers!