Redox Reactions; Oxidation Vs. Reduction

When an electric current is passed through the electrolyte.

• Positive ions are attracted to the cathode
• Negative ions are attracted to the anode.

As per the basic law of physics, “Like Charges Repel and Unlike charges attract”. So if you have two positive charges, those will repel each other. While if you have a positive and a negative charge, these will attract each other. So Positive ions (Cations) will be attracted to cathode (negatively charged) and negative ions (Anions) are attracted to anode (Positively Charged)

What is Oxidation? 

Oxidation is a chemical reaction in which a substance loses electrons. 

It is one half of a Redox (reduction-oxidation) reaction, where one substance is oxidized, and another is reduced. 

This process often involves the addition of oxygen to a substance or the removal of hydrogen from it. Oxidation reactions are commonly associated with an increase in the oxidation number of the elements involved.

The term oxidation originally referred to reactions in which oxygen combined with another substance; however, it was later broadened to include any process in which electrons are transferred. In modern chemistry, oxidation is defined as the loss of electrons, and reduction is defined as the gain of electrons. Together, these processes make up redox (reduction-oxidation) reactions.

What is Reduction? 

• Reduction is a chemical reaction in which a substance gains electrons. 

It is one half of a redox (reduction-oxidation) reaction, where one substance is reduced, and another is oxidized. 

This process often involves the addition of hydrogen to a substance or the removal of oxygen from it. Reduction reactions are characterized by a decrease in the oxidation number of the elements involved.

The substance that undergoes oxidation is called the reducing agent because it causes another substance to be reduced by donating electrons. The substance that undergoes reduction is called the oxidizing agent because it causes another substance to be oxidized by accepting electrons.

What happens in Electrolysis?

In electrolysis, an electrolyte solution or molten electrolyte is used, which contains ions that can move freely.

When an electric current is passed through the electrolyte, positive ions (cations) move towards the negative electrode (cathode), and negative ions (anions) move towards the positive electrode (anode). 

At the electrodes, these ions undergo oxidation or reduction reactions, leading to the overall decomposition of the compound.