Question

Do the electrodes in an electrolytic cell have fixed polarity like a battery?

Answer 1

No, the electrodes in an electrolytic cell do not have fixed polarity like that of a battery. If we take an electrolytic cell consisting of the Ag electrodes and the AgNO₃ as electrolyte. When the battery is connected to it, the end to which the positive terminal of the battery is connected is the anode and the end to which the negative terminal is connected is the cathode. ${\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}$ ions are deposited at the anode and Ag⁺ ions are deposited at the cathode. When the connection of the electrolytic cell is reversed, the polarities of the electrodes are also reversed.