HELP! Electrochemical cell problems

[cc609]

I am confused about the cations, anions, electrons, current flow etc..

I know that electrons flow, in both electrochemical cells, from anode to cathode.
In my Destroyer book, it also says cations migrate to the cathode (so from anode to cathode) in both cells as well.

Shouldn't they go different directions??
I tried to look this up myself and saw threads about how current flow is opposite electron flow, and some talked about anion flow and cation flow separately...

Would someone be kind enough to tell me what flows where in which electrochemical cells?!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[FeralisExtremum]

Electrons flow from anode to cathode via the electrical wire. That is the only thing that flows through the wire.

Cations in solution migrate to the cathode to gain the electrons that are flowing there. They don't migrate from anode to cathode, and certainly not through the wire.

 

[DAT Destroyer]

I am confused about the cations, anions, electrons, current flow etc..

I know that electrons flow, in both electrochemical cells, from anode to cathode.
In my Destroyer book, it also says cations migrate to the cathode (so from anode to cathode) in both cells as well.

Shouldn't they go different directions??
I tried to look this up myself and saw threads about how current flow is opposite electron flow, and some talked about anion flow and cation flow separately...

Would someone be kind enough to tell me what flows where in which electrochemical cells?!

Recall.....In an electrochemical cell, the cathode is denoted as +..... and the anode is -. The opposite polarities exist for electrolytic cells. Now......REGARDLESS of cell type..... Reduction is at the CATHODE.....Oxidation is at the ANODE. Forget + and -......focus on the definition. Call it what you want, but cathodes,,,,,,GAIN electrons, hence CATIONS follow. Anodes lose electrons.....thus anions follow. The + and - is simply our sign convention..it is quite meaningless......FOCUS on what is occurring. To recap...cations go to cathodes in BOTH types of cells,since this is where the electrons go......anions go to anodes in both types of cells, since electrons have departed.

I hope this clears up a VERY flummoxing concept with most students.

Dr. Romano

 

[SCDP]

ugh I remember these problems, they were so simple yet so confusing the the +/- stuff. I had em soooooo down but now completely forget, I am not looking forward to relearning this.

 

[cc609]

Dr. Romano and Feralis that was extremely extremely helpful. I probably repeatedly studied that and didn't understand, now it makes sense 🙂!!

Electrons flow from anode to cathode via the electrical wire. That is the only thing that flows through the wire.

Cations in solution migrate to the cathode to gain the electrons that are flowing there. They don't migrate from anode to cathode, and certainly not through the wire.