Question

In the electrolytic refining of a metal M, what would you take as the anode, the cathode and the electrolyte?

Answer 1

In the electrolytic refining of a metal M:

• Anode: A thick slab of crude metal M.
• Cathode: A thin sheet of pure metal M.
• Electrolyte: Solution of a stable salt of the metal M.

Answer 2

In electrolytic refining of metal, the electrolytic refining tank consists of:

• Anode: A bulky piece of impure metal (attached to a positive terminal)
• Cathode: A thin layer of pure metal (attached to the negative terminal)
• Electrolyte: The salt solution of the metal being refined is taken as the electrolytic solution or electrolyte.

When electricity is passed through the cell, impure metal from the anode melts and goes into the electrolyte. The pure metal from the electrolyte moves to the cathode and gets deposited there as pure metal. The impurities that are soluble dissolve in electrolyte and insoluble impurities deposit under anode as anode mud.