Question

During electrolytic refining ______.

Options

• The metal is directly transferred from the anode to the cathode.

• The metal is directly transferred from the cathode to the anode.

• The metal ions from the electrolytic solution get deposited on the cathode.

• An equivalent of metal passes from the anode to the electrolyte solution.

Answer 1

The metal ions from the electrolytic solution get deposited on the cathode, and an equivalent of metal passes from the anode to the electrolyte solution.

Explanation:

During electrolytic refining, the impure metal is made the anode, and a thin sheet of pure metal is made the cathode. Metal ions from the electrolyte solution are reduced and deposited on the cathode as pure metal. At the same time, an equivalent amount of metal from the anode dissolves into the electrolyte as metal ions.

Thus, metal is purified by the continuous transfer of ions from anode → solution → cathode.