Question

In an electrolytic cell, the flow of electrons is:
A. from cathode to anode in the solution
B. from cathode to anode through external supply
C. from cathode to anode through the internal supply
D. from anode to cathode through the internal supply

Answer 1

Hint: We know that electrolytic cells convert electrical energy to chemical energy. This process is known as electrolysis. The main purpose of the electrolytic cell is to convert reactants into more useful products usually.

Complete step-by-step answer:
It is possible to construct a cell that works on a chemical system by driving an electric current through the system. These cells are called electrolytic cells.

Electrolytic cells, like galvanic cells, are composed of two half cells. One is a reduction half cell, and the other is an oxidation half cell. The direction of electron flow in the electrolytic cells can, however, be reversed from the direction of spontaneous electron flow in galvanic cells.

Still, the cathode and anode definition remains the same, where reduction occurs at the cathode and oxidation occurs at the anode. Because the direction of both the reactions has been reversed, the signs changed. But the magnitude of the cell potential has not been reversed. Internally the direction of flow of current is from anode to cathode, and hence the electron flow is from cathode to anode.

So, it is clear from the facts mentioned above about the electrolytic cell that the reduction occurs at the cathode and oxidation occurs at the anode. Thus, the movement of electrons is from the cathode to the anode through the internal supply.

Therefore the correct answer is Option C.

Note: Electrolysis is a technique that uses a direct electric current to drive an otherwise spontaneous chemical reaction. Electrolysis is commercially important as a stage in separating elements from naturally occurring sources such as ores using an electrolytic cell.