Question

Which electrode: anode or cathode is the oxidising electrode. Why?

Answer 1

Hint: The process in which the electrons are released is known as oxidation. The anode has high concentration of electrons while the cathode has no electrons.


Step by step answer: We know that a device which converts the electrical energy to chemical energy is known as an electrolytic cell. The cell consists of two electrodes, anode and cathode. One electrode is negatively charged and the other is positively charged. These electrodes are dipped in a solution of an electrolyte
The electrolytic cell consists of a container filled with an electrolytic solution. Two metal electrodes called anode and cathode are immersed into the electrolytic solution.
The anode is a negatively charged electrode. This is because the concentration of electrons is higher on the anode.
During the process of oxidation, electrons are released and anode has sufficient concentration of electrons to be released.
Thus, the anode is the oxidising electrode.
The cathode is a positively charged electrode. This is because the concentration of electrons is lower on the cathode.
During the process of reduction, electrons are gained and cathode can gain electrons as it is positively charged.

Thus, the cathode is the reducing electrode.


Note: An electrode at which the chemical species gains electrons and the reduction of the chemical species occurs is known as cathode. An electrode at which the chemical species loses electrons and the oxidation of the chemical species occurs is known as anode.
In an electrolytic cell, the anode is positively charged while the cathode is negatively charged. In a voltaic or galvanic cell, the anode is negatively charged while the cathode is positively charged.