Question

Is cathode reduced or oxidized?

Answer 1

Oxidation: The chemical process in which electrons are liberated is called oxidation.

The cathode is the reducing electrode.

• The device which converts electrical energy into chemical energy is known as an electrolytic cell.
• The anode and cathode are two electrodes in the cell.
• The anode is negatively charged and the cathode is positively charged.
• An electrolytic cell consists of a container filled with an electrolytic solution in which the anode and cathode are immersed.
• Due to the high concentration of electrons at the anode, it is a negatively charged electrode.
• Because of the low concentration of electrons at the cathode, it is a positively charged electrode.
• During the reduction process, electrons are gained and the cathode can gain electrons because it is positively charged.
• Hence, Cathode is the reducing electrode.