in any electrochemical cell, the cathode is always the?

Question

a) positive electrode
b) negative electrode
c) electrode at which matter gains electrons
d) electrode at which matter loses electrons

Answer 1

C, reduction occurs at the cathode

Answer 2

In order to ensure your future success in chemistry, please memorize one sentence: "Oxidation occurs at the anode."

By a process of elimination, reduction occurs at the cathode. So c) is correct, the electrode at which matter gains electrons.

A lot more than that depends on your learning this sentence. If the cathode gains electrons in the internal solution, then these electrons flow out of the cathode into the external circuit to light a light bulb or ring a bell. That means that in the external circuit, the cathode is the negative electrode.

Answer 3

specific. It relies upon in case you utilising a galvanic cellular or electrolytic cellular. in a galvanic, for sure something like Li will choose for to get rid of its electron, and something like Au will choose for to get greater electrons. so in case you hook up 2 cells, one with each and each, the Li will oxidize and the Au will cut back. this suggests Li would be the anode and the Au the cathode. in a electrolytic, a battery is forcing the alternative reaction. The anodes and cathodes would be marked inversely (anode galvanic/discharge=cathode electrolytic/fee) you need to use the activity table or cellular potentials table to verify. (they're inverted, so beware for that). many times in E(first)crimson +E(2nd)ox could be effective. If that's damaging then the voltage is damaging( i.e. the electrons are flowing the alternative way) observing the activity table: Pt is inappropriate because of fact that's barely in the anode, no longer in the answer, and isn't vulnerable to oxidize (oxidation reasons portion of the anode to break off into the anode answer, alleviation reasons cathode answer metals to solidify on the cathode and gas to evaporate). so which you have H, that's defined as 0 potential. So permit's inspect Cu. It favors being decreased, so that's the cathode. H is then the anode.