Where do cations travel to in a voltaic cell?

In summary, in a voltaic cell where a chemical reaction proceeds spontaneously, the following will occur: electrons will migrate through the wire, the cathode will gain mass, the anode will lose mass, and reduction will occur at the cathode. However, the cations in the salt bridge will not migrate to the anode half cell. The purpose of the salt bridge is to maintain electrical neutrality and allow for the flow of ions to balance the charges in the half cells.
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TT0
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Homework Statement


A voltaic cell is set up and a chemical reaction proceeds spontaneously. Which of the following will not occur in this reaction?
(A) The electrons will migrate through the wire.
(B) The cations in the salt bridge will migrate to the anode half cell.
(C) The cathode will gain mass.
(D) The anode will lose mass.
(E) Reduction will occur at the cathode.

Homework Equations


-

The Attempt at a Solution


The anode is negatively charged so I thought cations will travel to the anode but apparently this is not true. Can someone clarify this?

Thanks!
 
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  • #2
What happens at the anode half cell?
They mention the cations in the salt bridge
So what is the use of a salt bridge?
Try relating the answers to those 2 questions
 
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1. Where do cations travel to in a voltaic cell?

In a voltaic cell, cations travel from the anode (negative electrode) to the cathode (positive electrode) through the electrolyte solution.

2. How do cations move in a voltaic cell?

Cations move through the electrolyte solution in a voltaic cell due to the attraction of the positively charged cathode.

3. What happens to cations in a voltaic cell?

In a voltaic cell, cations lose electrons at the anode and become positively charged ions. They then travel through the electrolyte solution to the cathode, where they gain electrons and become neutral atoms again.

4. Do cations always travel to the cathode in a voltaic cell?

Yes, cations always travel to the cathode in a voltaic cell as it is the positively charged electrode and thus attracts the negatively charged cations.

5. Why do cations move in a voltaic cell?

Cations move in a voltaic cell due to the difference in potential energy between the anode and cathode. This potential difference causes the cations to flow from the anode to the cathode, in an attempt to balance out the charges.

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