Quick electrochemistry question, PLEASE ANSWER SOON

Started by hs2013
Get help with your application

Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.

Status
Not open for further replies.

hs2013

Full Member
10+ Year Member
So for a galvanic cell electrons flow from anode to cathode, so reduction takes place at the cathode and oxidation takes place in a anode.

BUT how does it work for a electrolytic cell?

Is it that the electrons flow from cathode to anode or does it work the same way, and that oxidation still takes place at anode and reduction still takes place at cathode but the anode is positive and cathode is negative in an electrolytic cell?
 
Oxidation always happens at the anode, even in electrolytic cells. It's just this time, the reaction is unfavorable and it requires energy to get the electrons flowing.
 
Just always remember your animals: Red Cat, An Ox! Reduction at the cathode, and anode = oxidation.

@ttt92 is correct, the polarities change but not the location of the reactions.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.