Question

Assertion (A): The anions migrate to the cathode in an electrolytic cell.
Reason (R): Positively charged ions are attracted to the negatively charged cathode.
A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation for A.
B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation for A.
C. A is true but R is false.
D. A is false but R is true.
E. Both A and R are false.

Answer 1

Hint: Think about the charges present on the cathode and anode in an electrolytic cell. Consider the charges on cations and anions to deduce which type of ion will be attracted to which electrode.

Complete step by step solution:
We know that in an electrolytic cell the battery moves the electrons away from the anode. So, the electron flow is from the anode to the cathode. As the electrons are moving away from the anode, the anode has a positive charge. This implies that the cathode has a negative charge.
We know that anions are the ions that have a net negative charge and cations are the ions that have a net positive charge. Using this, we can predict the type of ions that will be attracted towards the cathode and the anode.
As anions are negatively charged and the cathode is negatively charged as well in an electrolytic cell, they will not be attracted to each other. The anions will move towards the anode.
Thus, we can say that the mentioned assertion statement is false.
The cathode is negatively charged and the positively charged cations will be attracted towards the negatively charged electrode i.e. the cathode. So according to this, we can say that the reason stated is true.

Hence, the correct answer to this question is ‘D. A is false but R is true.’

Note: Remember that in a voltaic cell, the cathode is considered to be positively charged. The electrons move from the cathode to the anode in this type of cell. The case is the exact opposite of the electrolytic cell where the cathode is negatively charged. Remember this before answering the question.