Consider the electrolytic cell: b. Indicate the direction of electron flow.

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Identify the components of the electrolytic cell: anode and cathode.

Recall that in an electrolytic cell, the anode is positive and the cathode is negative.

Understand that electrons flow from the anode to the cathode in the external circuit.

Determine the direction of electron flow: from the positive anode to the negative cathode.

Visualize the electron flow in the circuit: electrons leave the anode, travel through the external circuit, and enter the cathode.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Electrolytic Cell

An electrolytic cell is a type of electrochemical cell that uses electrical energy to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction. It consists of two electrodes: the anode, where oxidation occurs, and the cathode, where reduction takes place. The flow of electrons in the cell is essential for the reactions to occur, and it is driven by an external power source.

Electron Flow

In electrochemical cells, electron flow refers to the movement of electrons from one electrode to another. In an electrolytic cell, electrons flow from the anode (positive electrode) to the cathode (negative electrode) through an external circuit. This flow is opposite to the direction of conventional current, which is defined as the flow of positive charge.

Oxidation and Reduction

Oxidation and reduction are chemical processes that occur simultaneously in electrochemical cells. Oxidation involves the loss of electrons, while reduction involves the gain of electrons. In an electrolytic cell, the anode is the site of oxidation, where electrons are released, and the cathode is the site of reduction, where electrons are accepted, facilitating the overall reaction.

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